Work is underway to build a new £2.5million mosque on the edge of the idyllic Lake District.
The South Lakes Islamic Centre says the facility will be used by more than 100 local Muslim families and ‘the work must not stop’.
A spokesman explained congregation members currently have a 100-mile round-trip to their nearest place of worship.
It comes after full planning permission was granted for the site in 2022, with the charity confirming construction began earlier this month.
Bosses previously warned the work could stop by April due to a lack of funds, though the extra money has now been secured.
The mosque will fall outside of the Lake District National Park’s boundary near Dalton-in Furness in the South Lakes area.
In a promotional video for the project, a spokesman described the Lake District as a ‘place of exceptional natural beauty’ and somewhere they are ‘proud to call home’.
She added Muslims have ‘lived and worked in the area for over 40 years’ but there is ‘still no Masjid (mosque)’.
A CGI of the proposed mosque. Full planning permission was granted for the site in 2022, with the charity confirming construction began earlier this month
The South Lakes Islamic Centre says the facility will be used by more than 100 local Muslim families and ‘the work must not stop’
The piece of land was acquired during ‘Covid times’ amid a few ‘initial hurdles and setbacks’
The piece of land was acquired during ‘Covid times’ amid a few ‘initial hurdles and setbacks’.
Around 30 objections were made when plans were first submitted though some residents also wrote letters of support.
Vocal opponents further afield have included anti-Islam campaigner Tommy Robinson and the Britain First party.
The three-storey building will have a roof garden and parking for 17 vehicles and is replacing what was previously a shop with offices above.
Mike Humphreys, chairman for the South Lakes Interfaith Forum had said on the original application: ‘I wholeheartedly support this application which would enable the local Muslim community to have a permanent base for their meetings.
‘They will then also be able to demonstrate that they can be active contributors to the community at large.’
Local councillor Martin McLeavy previously expressed concern about the height of the building, saying: ‘It’s going to be like a great beacon that’s going to be visible to every single part of the town.’
Construction is underway. The three-storey building will have a roof garden and parking for 17 vehicles and is replacing what was previously a shop with offices above
The Lake District is a popular tourist destination known for its glacial ribbon lakes, rugged fell mountains and historic literary associations
But most of the objecting comments on the application raised concerns over parking and noise rather than aesthetics.
Planning officer Barry Jesson insisted there was sufficient distance to prevent ‘any concerns with general noise or loss of privacy for neighbours’.
Comments online ‘demonising the Muslim community’ were condemned by local councillors.
The Lake District is a region and national park in Cumbria in northwest England.
It is a popular tourist destination known for its glacial ribbon lakes, rugged fell mountains and historic literary associations.
