Controversial £4m mosque building for Derby to start later in year

BUILDING work on a controversial £4 million mosque for Derby is set to begin in the middle of this year.

Architects have said the dual-domed building for Normanton is an "exciting" landmark project.

The building's designer, Atba Al-Samarraie, has been singled out for praise by English Heritage in the past.

But some people in the area were dismayed to see the mosque granted planning permission as they believe it will cause parking problems.

They also say the proposed building is too large for its site, between Renals Street and Mill Hill Lane.

The building was applied for by the Al-Farooq Trust, which had been working for more than three years to find a replacement site for its current place of worship, based in a large house in nearby Western Road.

Al-Farooq secretary Dr Mohammed Asghar said building work was set for the "middle of the year".

He said: "Detailed designs are being drawn up, then building can start with the foundations and an underground car park."

link