Preston Council's planning committee voted against proposals put forward by trustees of the Masjid-e-Salaam mosque in Fulwood, Preston, to ease traffic and parking fears over the new building.

However, the Preston Muslim Society, which runs the mosque in Watling Street Road, may appeal against the decision made on Monday morning.

Members voted 10-4 against accepting the proposals put forward in a Section 106 agreement at a packed meeting at Preston Town Hall. One councillor abstained.

The decision went along with recommendations made by council planning officers, who warned the increase in worshippers would increase traffic misery for local residents.

This is despite a comprehensive range of measures put forward by the Muslim Society to ease the concerns over parking and traffic, including expanding the existing car park, splitting Jumma prayer times into two sessions and operating a travel plan to encourage worshippers not to drive.

The application would have seen the existing mosque building, a former hotel, demolished and replaced with a bigger building, including a 17.5m tower.

Members also voted unanimously to reject separate plans to demolish the existing mosque building, a former hotel.

However, an application to extend the existing Madrassa, to the rear of the mosque, was given unanimous approval by the committee.

See late editions of the Lancashire Evening Post for more details and reaction.