PLANS to build a new mosque and community centre on a vacant plot of land in Bradford have been approved.

Submitted earlier this year, the application was to construct the new two storey facility on former allotment land at Moor View Drive.

The plans are linked with the nearby Madrassa Abu Hanifah, and the application said the facility, much larger than the existing madrassa, will “act as a beacon for the local community.”

The application said that when the new centre is up and running the existing Madrassa on Hustler Street will be used as a women’s and elderly day centre.

The building will include 560 square metres of teaching and praying facilities, a library, 131 square metre workshop, crèche and 110 square metre exhibition space, as well as parking for 41 cars.

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There had been one objections submitted to the plan, arguing that a new mosque was not needed.

But planning officers replied: "Competition is not a material planning consideration in terms of whether there are already a sufficient number of such uses in the area."

Approving the application earlier this month, officers added: "The surrounding area is heavily built up with residential development and the redevelopment of the site for a community centre/mosque would be a suitable form of development that would meet the needs of the local population."