Landmark Preston mosque proposal gets a green light after public inquiry

Image by Brick Veil Mosque

A landmark mosque will be constructed on a busy road junction in Preston after the UK government approved the proposal. The Black Veil mosque will be built at Broughton interchange, on top of a raised grassland that overlooks the intersection of M6, M55 and A6 motorways.

The development was a subject of concern for several government officials and certain members of public after the 40ft (12m) tall mosque had been granted planning permission by Preston City Council in 2022. The concerns were mostly regarding its scale and the effect it would have on the traffic.

But, many pointed out that the local Muslim community should have a place of worship in their area. However, after a public inquiry was set up, planning inspector Darren Hendley heard over 50 hours of evidence from supporters, who proved that it would be the ideal place for worship, with the opponents arguing that the structure would be too big for the site.

This inquiry took place for a week in August last year. Housing and planning minister, Lucy Frazer, recently gave a go-ahead for the planning permission of the mosque which is said to be able to accommodate over 250 worshippers.

Permission was also granted for parking spaces off D’Urton Lane for the new building, the BBC has reported. The design of the mosque was chosen in a Royal Institute of British Architects competition, which features a 30m-high (98ft) minaret that looks like a Victorian mill chimney highlighting Preston’s industrial past, the BBC mentioned.