Plans submitted for new mosque
A mosque will be built on the site of a former church in Lincoln if council officials give the project their approval.
The Muslim Association of Lincoln has applied for permission to build the two-storey structure on the site of the former St Matthew's Church in Boultham Park Road.
-
A model of the proposed mosque
Controversial blueprints had previously been put forward to convert the building into a Muslim place of worship.
These were approved in June last year but just days later the tin tabernacle, which had stood on the site for almost 100 years, was reduced to a pile of ash after a fire ripped through it.
Lincoln's Islamic Association, which has 1,500 Muslim members in the city and surrounding villages, has needed a new place to worship since outgrowing its mosque in Orchard Street.
The former 19th century Baptist church hall holds just 90 people, forcing city Muslims to use the Grandstand, in Carholme Road, for the 300 people who go to worship each Friday.
The new mosque would include a 17-space car park, a domed prayer tower, washing areas and separate entrances would be created for men and women.
The council has got a target date of Wednesday, September 25 to make a decision on the matter and local people have been told to submit their comments by Tuesday, September 1.
For the full story see Saturday's Lincolnshire Echo.
16 Comments
View all
by KAT, Lincoln
Friday, August 21 2009, 7:38AM
“we would rather have a playground or a bigger space for a car park or somthing!!!!! so i disagree”
by J, Lincoln
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 8:12AM
“Just interested in where you are Mick for my own curiosity rather than what it has to do with the debate.
Why can't you elaborate until it is built? Go on let the good people know.”
by Mick, Lincoln
Monday, August 10 2009, 4:17PM
“Hello J Lincoln no back in Lincoln just round the corner from you what s that got to do with this where i am ?
I will elaborate after the new one is built.”
by Chrisitan, Lincoln
Monday, August 10 2009, 2:01PM
“Kevin, I can safely say that when I lived near a rather famous Mosque (Finsbury) I was never once woken up by the call to prayer, because the "adhan" was never broadcast from loudspeakers. If you really are concerned surely the message they carry is of a greater worry. The shehadah ("I bear witness that there is no lord except God and Mohammed is his messenger") goes against being Chrisitian.
This has already been (pardon the pun) sounded out in Oxford with sensible debate. The same could happen here if it ever came to that.”
by kevin, Lincoln
Monday, August 10 2009, 1:24PM
“Another aspect is the likely noise. This is a built up urban area that isn't predominantly Muslim. Has the council considered the mandatory call to prayers under Sharia law? Call to prayers which will take place at all hours, every six hours and every day of the week I understand? Is it fair on the non-Islamic residents or is this psychological warfare going to continue until it drives the non-Muslims into selling up. Before long we will have a ghetto in Lincoln if the council acts in a naive manner. That will not help integration. It will help no one.”
by Jamie, Lincoln
Monday, August 10 2009, 12:06PM
“Couple of points here I think most have missed.
The area used to be a church and was deserted in 2000. There were no funds given by the government or local community to support or rebuild the church and therefore it was abandoned. If money was there, so would the Church.
Another point is that the area could only be used for religious purposes and therefore couldn't be shops or community centre.
After reading a flyer through my door the Muslim community had attempted to look for alternative land. Discussions took place between the council and the Muslims for a land swap, but this was declined by the council.
The cost of the original plans to convert the church into a mosque were £300k to £400K, the new estimate to build from scratch will cost at least a million. There will be no government grants and this money will have to come from the Muslims own back pocket.
The whole reason for the new mosque is that the current location is too small which is why they currently rent the grandstand. If a disused hall or a piece of land outside a residential area was available, then this would have been purchased instead.
If anybody has any information on the fire or has heard anyone bragging about it, then please ring Lincoln Police as there are residents whose houses were damaged in the fire who would like their insurance excess back.”
by J, Lincoln
Monday, August 10 2009, 12:06PM
“Good to see you back Mick, you still on the East coast? Care to elaborate on your last post about why it won't burn down?”
by Mick, Canada
Monday, August 10 2009, 11:21AM
“Rick i don`t think you will see it burn again it is obvious why.”
by Mick, Canada
Monday, August 10 2009, 11:17AM
“This is the most stupid thing the coucil has ever done even thinking of letting this go ahead
1. Parking
2. architectural design
3. Problems with the sewers
Their is a problem with parking in that area already.
The design does`nt match anything in that area at all at one time in Lincoln you could`nt change the windows in your house unless they matched the area.
Sewers i don`t think the sewers have ever been upgraded in that area to allow for that many people in that street.
Plus i wish people would not just comment on here OBJECT TO THE COUNCIL OR YOU WON`T GET HEARD THIS WEBSITE DOES`NT MEAN ANYTHING.”
by Confused, Everywhere
Monday, August 10 2009, 10:21AM
“Good work, Echo, in providing the pathetically conservative bigots of Lincoln with a chance to vent yet more of their seemingly endless anger on to the Islamic community.
Also, I think you'll find that September 25 is a Friday, not a wednesday! Good job, really. Keep it up!”