Objection to plan to build mosque in Ballybane area

Plans to develop a mosque and Muslim cultural centre to the rear of a semi-detached house in Ballybrit, have met with local opposition.

Dr Mamoon Rashid and Dr Anwar Malik of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Ireland in Wellpark Grove have sought permission to develop the mosque and cultural centre to the rear of the house at The Cottages in Ballybrit.

The development will comprise a single storey mosque building with a dome and minaret (two-storey height) to accommodate a prayer hall, circulation areas, toilets and two office rooms.

There are also proposed alterations to the house, including a rear extension and an additional first floor bedroom, which will serve as accommodation for the current Imam, Ibrahim Noonan.

“Due to the growing Muslim population in Galway, [the Ahmadiyya Association] have spent the last number of years looking for a designated place of worship in the Galway area rather than continue to hold service in residential accommodation in the city, which are unsuited in terms of function and the growing number of worshippers involved.

“The Association has identified this site at The Cottages as appropriate to their requirements and have proceeded to purchase the property,” the application reads.

The prayer hall would have capacity for between 60 and 80 people. At present, around 35 people regularly attend.One local resident has so far objected to the application on the grounds that the location is a built-up residential area and is totally unsuitable for regular daily gatherings.He added that the mosque would be injurious to the residential amenity value of the neighbourhood, and that the dome and minaret tower would be very obtrusive in a row of traditional cottages.

There were also concerns expressed about overdevelopment, insufficient and illegal parking and potential dangers posed to traffic.