A proposal to expand the Weston Islamic Education Centre mosque in Weston-super-Mare has been unanimously approved by the North Somerset Council planning committee, even after facing a surge of racist objections.
At a meeting on February 18, secured by guards at the entrance, councillors confirmed there were no planning grounds to reject the expansion plans for the mosque located on Waterloo Street. Mohammed Haque, a senior mosque representative, expressed satisfaction, stating, “We are happy. We expected the council to make the right decision.”
Controversy surrounding the application led the council to temporarily remove public comments last July due to a “significant number” of offensive remarks that could cause distress. Although most comments were later restored, many submissions against the mosque included not only concerns about parking and retail loss but also openly racist and Islamophobic assertions. Of the 1,046 comments submitted, 720 objected to the proposal.
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Since opening in 2010, the mosque has lacked a single large space to accommodate all worshippers simultaneously. The expansion will add a larger prayer hall, new facades on Palmer Street, distinct prayer spaces for men and women, religious washing facilities, and a small ghusl mortuary for preparing Muslim deceased—a service free to the Muslim community.
Council member John Crockford Hawley emphasized that decisions must adhere to planning regulations, not prejudice. He remarked, “Weston is not a hotbed of radicalism or racialism, despite the efforts of some to sow seeds of discontent.” He encouraged community engagement and mutual understanding, highlighting the positive impact of sharing food and conversation.
Supporters, including Browntown Town Councillor Catherine Reynolds, who also serves as the town’s anti-racism champion, highlighted the mosque’s role as an inclusive community center. The mosque has established good relations with neighboring Christian churches, offers a library accessible to non-Muslims, and remains open to all members of the community.
Many objections focused on the mosque’s separate entrances and prayer areas for men and women, citing equality concerns. The council explained these arrangements stem from faith-based practices and acknowledged that mosques in Britain customarily maintain such separations. Concerns about amplified calls to prayer were addressed by the mosque’s assurance that they do not broadcast external calls to prayer, a condition now written into the permit requiring no amplified calls in the future.
Critics also questioned whether a mosque should be located at the site at all. However, planning officers confirmed that years of prior use established the mosque’s presence legally.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and condemned racism throughout the application process. Mohammed Haque remarked that many local Muslims found the hateful reactions unfair and stressed the mosque’s broader community contributions, including support for a local food bank.
Muslims form 0.6% of North Somerset’s population, and this mosque is the district’s only one. The renovation will improve the appearance of previously vacant storefronts on Waterloo Street and replace a neglected rear facade on Palmer Street with a brick finish that complements neighboring buildings.
Planning committee chair Robert Payne recognized places of worship as important community landmarks and described the current building as detracting from the street scene. Fellow councillors welcomed the upgrades, with Labour’s Hugh Malyan calling the proposal a “dramatic improvement” and praising the mosque’s positive community involvement.
Ultimately, the committee voted unanimously to approve the mosque’s expansion, signaling a commitment to inclusion and respect amid challenges.