These pictures show the first glimpse of the new three-storey mosque that will replace a Victorian school building in Bolton.
The Makkah Mosque in Great Lever will be completely rebuilt to meet the “growing” religious, social and educational needs of the community.
The final details of the long-awaited plans have now been revealed, showing how the combined community centre and evening education facility will look.
The new three-storey building will allow the mosque to provide new functions and facilities, according to a statement by David Cox Architects.
It said: “The aim is to continue to provide much improved and essential religious and after-school education on site whilst also offering community facilities.’
The custom-built facility will have a new prayer hall, ablutions, community rooms and funeral services with a mezzanine, plant rooms and a roof garden on the top floor.
The development was first approved in principle back in January 2017 with new parking plans given the green light last year.
In the latest proposal, the prayer hall, dome and minaret are around three metres taller than those previously approved.
This is to accommodate the necessary mechanical equipment while maintaining a floor-to-ceiling height that would not be “too mean”.
This change results in a prayer hall which is approximately 15 metres high with minarets which are nearly 30 metres tall.
The red sandstone-clad building is intended to “sit in harmony” with the surrounding context while linking to historic landmarks in the Asian subcontinent, according to the application.
It said: “This commonality forms a link between the vernacular of Bolton and the historic roots of the community which will predominantly be using the proposed development.”
See more pictures of the mosque plans in the gallery below:
Traditional granite stone will also be used to break the “homogeneity” of the red sandstone and the dome will feature zinc cladding.
The project will be phased to allow worshippers to continue using the mosque and so that community fundraising efforts can be staggered.
The planning committee will make a final decision on the latest application later this year.
