CONSTRUCTION work is well underway on a new community centre at Bradford’s largest mosque.

Work has begun at the Al-Jamia Suffa-Tul-Islam Grand Mosque, also known as Bradford Grand Mosque, based in Horton Park Avenue, Little Horton.

A new community centre and two special occasion halls are being built at the mosque, with the first phase of construction underway.

A number of concrete pillars have been installed in an area of the car park close to the mosque, and labourers can be seen at the site.

The new community centre will be the home of the mosque’s supplementary school for Islamic Education, and the mosque said it will “further the aim and commitment to provide lifelong learning and growth to everyone that is blessed with the opportunity to walk through the doors”.

The development is funded entirely from donations from members of the local community who attend the mosque and interest-free loans.

One of the largest mosques in the UK, the mosque opened in 2012, after more than a decade of construction work, and cost more than £4 million to construct.

Permission to build the community centre and halls was first given when initial planning permission for the mosque was granted in 1999, but has never been built due to the planned location being too close to the mosque building, and leaders decided to apply to build the centre and halls in a different location.

It applied to construct the new buildings to accommodate an increasing demand from the local community for a funeral hall and facilities for bereavement, and a lack of space for special events.

Bradford Grand Mosque said the plans are intended to make better use of the mosque site rather than to attract more worshippers.

The loss of car parking space is also said to not be an issue, as the mosque said that even during its busiest hours, midday Friday prayers, there is ample space for car parking, and many worshippers live within walking distance of the building.

In the plans design and access statement, it said the new buildings will mirror the design of the existing mosque building.

It said: “The principle of imposing features on a place of worship is established in many religions and cultures, and this element is an essential part of any Islamic design.

“However, the prominent effect in this case has been kept to a very modest scale.

“The design and appearance will need to continue the existing theme, and the use of long arched windows will enhance the appearance and will identify the use of the building as a religious or civic building.”

The new building will also have a ‘green’ environmentally friendly roof, will use water harvesting and recycling, and use materials which can absorb and release heat to avoid the need for air conditioning.

When the plans were approved, Bradford Council planning officer Amin Ibrar said: “The development provides well designed extensions to this very prominent and landmark building which will enhance community facilities within this Mosque.

“The proposal will not be harmful to the character and appearance of this existing buildings.”