Revised plans for York Mosque approved

The new two-storey mosque will replace the 27-year-old building on Bull Lane near Lawrence Street

Revised plans for a new £1m mosque in York have been approved, after being withdrawn amid flooding concerns.

Last year religious leaders behind the mosque pulled plans for a site on Bull Lane, after the Environment Agency said it would be vulnerable to flooding.

Mosque secretary, Shazad Hussain, said it was a "great relief" that the plans had now been approved.

He said the new design was much more practical, and that flooding and parking were no longer an issue.

Mr Hussain said only a small amount of the two-storey building would be on the flood zone in the new plans.

"It will mostly be built on the site of the current building," he said. "We have been here for 27 years and have never flooded."

Reduced capacity

A proposed accommodation block was removed from the plans, and the mosque's capacity was reduced from 1,200 to 600.

Mr Hussain said there would be "symbolic minarets to give the building character and image", but there would not be a dome.

The mosque will also contain a library and inter-faith community room.

"In hindsight, the new plans are much more practical and pragmatic," he said.

Sonja Crisp of York City Council said: "York has a strong and growing Muslim community and I really support the decision to approve the new multi-story mosque.

"The current mosque has been a part of our community for over 25 years, so I welcome the new plans and hope the new centre will help facilitate our Muslim community for many more years to come."

Mr Hussain said building work could not start until sufficient funds - between £1m and £1.25m in donations - were raised.

The new mosque will be built on the original site off Lawrence Street, within walking distance from the city centre.