Plans approved to turn building into Mosque

Plans to convert a former shop into a mosque in Littlehampton, West Sussex, have been approved, subject to conditions that largely centre around noise concerns.

Arun District Council had received more than 100 objections, mostly with concerns about parking, noise pollution, and harm to neighbouring businesses, all of which were addressed at the council meeting on Thursday.

Safeer Ahmad, from the Littlehampton Muslim Trust, told the BBC the community was "extremely pleased" with the outcome.

"It's a positive step forward, not just for our community but for the wider Littlehampton area, promoting inclusivity and understanding," he said.

Mr Ahmad said: "We sincerely appreciate the council's support and the efforts of everyone involved in making this happen."

Concerns were voiced over operating hours starting at 04:30 for early morning prayer, but Mr Ahmad said that would not be a problem.

"We are a very small community, and I imagine only a few people will come at that time of day."

One of the conditions is that there will be no audible call to prayer with a tannoy or any other such device.

The site was a mobility shop for 25 years which closed in April last year and has been unused since.

The trust currently rents a space at a nearby church for Friday prayers and during Ramadan but said otherwise people would have to travel 10 miles to Worthing.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.