£7.5m mosque approved for Balsall Heath

The mosque as it stands Credit: BPM Media

A £7.5m mosque has been approved for Balsall Heath despite one of its own congregation claiming it would be “like putting a nuclear power plant” in the area.

Abid Ismail, who attends the KSIMC Shia Mosque in Clifton Road, said he liked the current ‘Little House on the Prairie’ type facility they have at present.

Mr Ismail was speaking as the council’s planning committee gave the go ahead to the giant three-storey mosque.

The congregation has outgrown the existing building on the site and most want to expand as it can attract up to 1,800 people for special festivals.

Mr Ismail said the plan was “like putting a nuclear power station in the middle of Balsall Heath” and added that its size would create a road safety hazard as well as congestion.

Mr John Jowitt, who spoke on behalf of the mosque, said the final plan had been developed over many years through discussions with the community and with planning officials and that the majority of the congregation were on board.

Clifton Road in Balsall Heath Credit: Google Maps

Planning committee members were impressed with the development, especially as unlike many other mosques, a large 350 space car park is being provided.

Councillor Mohammed Azim (Labour, Sparkbrook) said: “This is a very good development.”

Councillor Peter Douglas Osborn (Conservative, Weoley) added: “There’s been a mosque here for 40 years and it has come to a point where there is greater demand for its services.”

Mr Odborn said that the committee had always wanted to see larger mosques in commercial and industrial areas with adequate parking spaces that would not impact on residents.

Birmingham's Central Mosque Credit: David Jones / PA Archive/Press Association Images

Under the plans the existing single storey worship hall, known as the Imambara, will be demolished and replaced with a grand three-storey building.

The linked mosque will be remodelled, extended and topped with a hollow gold dome and minaret.

The wider development also includes the demolition of the former Mr Clutch garage and construction of a new community sports hall in its place.

KSIMC is also planning to construct a three-storey building fronting Moseley Road, with a ground floor shop and flats above and a funeral home fronting Clifton Road.