Mosque extension plan at former rugby club refused

Plans to expand a mosque in a former rugby club pavilion have been refused.

The former Old Aylestonians Rugby Football Club pavilion in Knighton Lane East, Leicester, has been used by the Masjid-Us Sunnah since Leicester City Council planners approved a change of use in October 2025.

Applicant Dr Louay Al-Alousi, imam at the mosque, had sought permission to extend and alter the building to create a one-and-a-half storey place of worship, stating there had been increasing demand.

However, planning officers refused the bid, saying the proposals were "unacceptably squat and bulky" and could cause traffic issues.

Prior to the change of use, the club last played a game in 2017 and had since folded, with the pavilion sitting "unused".

In October, approval was granted to change its use to a place of worship, which documents said would see a maximum of 100 people on site at any time.

According to planning documents, the extended mosque would be able to accommodate 450-600 people.

The application attracted both objections from neighbours, who had concerns over the increased capacity and ongoing building works, and messages of support for the plan.

Turning down the extension, planners cited a "lack of architectural detailing" which would create "an overly heavy elevational mass and a plain appearance".

They added that the increase of visitors, coupled with a loss of parking due to the extended building, would have an "unacceptable impact".

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