Hawzah News Agency (Burnley, England) - Bosses at the 22-year-old mosque, which caters towards community groups, wish to improve the operation to allow more women's activities and separate prayer to take place.

It currently caters to 500 people but it is thought the two houses, located at the back of the premises at the junction of Clegg Street and Elm Street, Daneshouse, will mean the mosque can cater to more people and provide a bigger space.

Ward councillor Shah Hussain said: "I'm sure the extension will improve that area and provide a better service to the community."

Before work on the extension starts, Environmental Protection has said that noise reduction measures will be need to be introduced in order to protect the neighbouring properties.

The applicant has said the extensions would not have an adverse impact on the privacy, outlook or light from neighbouring homes.

It will only operate between 8am and 9pm Mondays to Fridays and 8am to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays, with the exception of the use of the extension for prayer.

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