Islamic place of worship is approved

Offaly County Council has granted planning permission for an Islamic place of worship in Tullamore.

The Midlands Islamic Cultural Centre Limited had sought approval for a change of use from a private gym to a place of worship at a property, Unit 1, St Brigid's Place, Tullamore.

Offaly County Council had sought further information on the plan and granted approval, subject to four conditions.

The council ruled that the Islamic calls to prayer shall only be audible inside the proposed place of worship.

And it said the proposed change of use to a place of worship should cease within five years and the site should be returned to its previous use, unless a further planning permission is obtained for the retention of the development.

The county council said this condition was designed in order to allow the issue to be reassessed in five years as the planning authority did not consider the structure on the site as 'an optimum development on a designated opportunity site' in the Tullamore and Environs Development Plan.

Midlands Islamic Cultural Centre Limited was established in Tullamore some 15 years ago.

The principal activity of the company is the operation of a prayer room and the provision of religious classes in the teaching, to both adults an children, of the Muslim faith and the Koran.

It's estimated that the maximum number of people to attend weekly will be no more than 25 to 35 people.

There were five submissions to Offaly County Council from locals regarding the proposed development.

A number of nearby residents and businesses made submissions objecting to the proposal.

One submission to the council argued that the proposal would interfere with the future development of the Harbour area, and in particular, the council's objective to revitalise the Grand Canal Harbour 'as a public local amenity feature and tourist attraction.'