Temporary mosque to remain until end of August despite noise complaints

One resident close to the tent on council-owned land used by the community in Broughton Road, Skipton, told councillors that late night prayers kept him awake and had left him depressed and off work.

Nic Foxton, who said he was talking for many residents of Pendle Street, said the marquee had gone up in late summer of last year and that many residents were suffering sleep deprivation," he said.

But Tahir Hussain, for the Jamia Mosque, said it was not their intention to keep the marquee in place and wanted to be in the permanent under-construction mosque, off Midland Street, as soon as possible.

He said problems with weather and structural issues had delayed building work, but assured councillors work was now well enough advanced for there to be no more need for the marquee after the end of August.

He added that the community who used the mosque were a successful group whose children went on to be high flying professionals, and the new building had been wholly funded by themselves.

Councillors at the Craven District Council planning meeting were told temporary permission for the marquee had been extended twice and would run out at the end of next month.

Cllr Ady Green (Cons) said he had every sympathy for the residents of Pendle Street, but pointed out there was "light at the end of the tunnel".

"By August 31, this will be down and returned, and the mosque will be used for the purposes the community are building it for. It is less than two months," he said.