Residents in Queen's Park, north-west London, are opposing plans for a 13-storey Albanian mosque and community centre, arguing that there are already 15 mosques within a three-mile radius.
Proposal details
The UK Albanian Muslim Community and Cultural Centre, which currently occupies a former pub on Carlton Vale, has submitted plans to replace the existing two-storey building with a 13-storey tower. The proposed development would include three floors of prayer space, a morgue, and a function room for meetings and parties.
The plans, prepared by architect Ayad Al-Tuhafi, were first submitted in December 2023, with the objection period closing recently. The application has generated 238 comments, most of which are objections.
Residents' concerns
One resident, who asked not to be identified, told the Daily Mail: "It's hard to understand how there is local need for a 13 storey mega-mosque in Queen's Park when there are already 15 others in a three mile radius." The resident added that the development would attract "hundreds, potentially thousands of people, day and night," leading to increased traffic, parking, noise, and disruption.
Another resident, Angela Gluck, said: "The problem was not the purpose of the building or the religious groups. The issue is the impact on the existing residents of a building that will probably be open around the clock and will block light and attract traffic."
Traffic and infrastructure concerns
Traffic and infrastructure have been prominent in objections, with many questioning whether the area can accommodate large numbers of worshippers. Queen's Park already experiences regular congestion due to narrow streets, and one objection noted that the large mosque in Regents Park leaves the surrounding area at a "virtual standstill on Fridays."
Local Conservative councillor Sapna Chadha said: "I fully support the right of every faith community to have appropriate places to worship. Brent is proud of its diversity, and every community deserves to practise faith freely and safely. This is an exceptionally large proposal of 13 floors. Queen's Park already experiences serious traffic congestion, parking pressures and infrastructure that has failed to keep pace with development."
Support and response
Not all residents oppose the plans. Dan Coppel, who works in finance, said: "Whilst instinctively a 13 story mosque in north west London arouses concerns, the fact that it is apparently Albanian is important. As a very broad generalisation, Albania for many years has been a rare beacon of religious tolerance."
The UK Albanian Muslim Community & Cultural Centre said the project would be funded through debt finance, donations from members, and support from UK-based religious and Islamic charitable organisations. The organisation, which has occupied the site since 1996, said the replacement building is needed to "meet the needs of a growing local community."
A spokesman for the organisation said: "Traffic, noise and infrastructure have been key considerations throughout the design and planning process. Where potential impacts have been identified, appropriate mitigation measures have been incorporated into the proposals in accordance with relevant planning policies and technical guidance."
Architect Ayad Al-Tuhafi responded to criticism, saying: "The building has been deliberately set back, with the cantilever commencing at the third floor to reduce the perceived mass of the building at street level, respect the setting of the neighbouring Baptist Church, and retain its visual prominence within the streetscape."
