Mosque expanding to create two prayer rooms

Surrey Muslim Centre is set to expand so the former church site can be turned into two separate prayer rooms - though capacity will stay the same.

The decision still needs signing off by Runnymede Borough Council's planning chief once a flood risk assessment has been done.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the mosque in Albert Road, Addlestone, was established by Surrey Islamic Trust in 2008 to unite generations in prayer, learning, and service.

Its application was heard by the council on Wednesday, and includes 63 parking spaces, up from 46.

Residents living nearby were asked for their views with 12 saying they were against the plans.

Traffic concerns were raised but councillors were told these were already an issue.

But officers will speak to organisers to see what steps could be taken to alleviate problems on the narrow residential road, particularly during Friday prayers.

The applicant said it understood the problems, saying its plans would not increase capacity at the mosque.

Officers said: "This is primarily to be able to be able to divide the building up into two different prayer areas and to give better circulation space.

"This is not about any significant increase in numbers at all."

They said the the extension was only about three metres.

Councillor Isabel Mullens was sympathetic towards residents as well as the mosque.

She acknowledged that there was very little street parking and no car parks nearby, but said the mosque could take actions to reduce traffic.

Officers reminded the committee they can not put right existing problems but only mitigate proposed developments.

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