Rochdale Mosque Unveils Ambitious Plans for Modern 'Legacy Project' Transformation
Rochdale, Greater Manchester – A new and improved Mosque could soon be built in the heart of Rochdale, as ambitious plans have been submitted to transform a beloved community hub into a modern, accessible, and eco-friendly facility.
The Jalalia Jaame Mosque, a cornerstone of the community on Trafalgar Street since the 1970s, has been earmarked for a major extension and remodelling. The project is being described as a ‘legacy project’, designed to meet the evolving needs of its congregation and secure its future for generations to come.
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The proposed transformation will be dramatic, both inside and out. The current, traditional dome and minaret are set to be removed, replaced with a striking, contemporary design and a new minaret, giving the building a vastly different appearance.
Internally, the plans focus on enhancing accessibility and functionality. A new first-floor extension will create more space, while the inclusion of a lift and two new stairways will ensure the building is accessible to all members of the community, including the elderly and those with mobility issues. The proposals also include upgraded common area facilities and a small but significant addition to the main prayer space.
According to planning documents, the project also addresses practical considerations such as transport. The car park is set to be redesigned to allow for safer and easier manoeuvring of vehicles. While this will result in a slight reduction of on-site spaces from 68 to 62, the plans include the addition of new bicycle spaces and a formal arrangement with a nearby grocer to use their 25-space car park for overspill during busy periods.
A key focus of the redevelopment is sustainability. Planning papers detail how the new-built portions will incorporate higher levels of thermal insulation to boost the building's overall energy efficiency. Furthermore, solar panels installed on the southern roof could potentially generate 15KW of clean energy.
In a move to conserve water, the plans also propose the installation of a 7,500-litre underground rainwater harvesting tank. The collected water would be used for non-potable purposes, such as flushing the WCs, significantly reducing the mosque's environmental footprint.
The plans for the Jalalia Jaame Mosque now await consideration by the local planning authority.
The Jalalia Jaame Mosque, a cornerstone of the community on Trafalgar Street since the 1970s, has been earmarked for a major extension and remodelling. The project is being described as a ‘legacy project’, designed to meet the evolving needs of its congregation and secure its future for generations to come.
.jpg)
The proposed transformation will be dramatic, both inside and out. The current, traditional dome and minaret are set to be removed, replaced with a striking, contemporary design and a new minaret, giving the building a vastly different appearance.
Internally, the plans focus on enhancing accessibility and functionality. A new first-floor extension will create more space, while the inclusion of a lift and two new stairways will ensure the building is accessible to all members of the community, including the elderly and those with mobility issues. The proposals also include upgraded common area facilities and a small but significant addition to the main prayer space.
According to planning documents, the project also addresses practical considerations such as transport. The car park is set to be redesigned to allow for safer and easier manoeuvring of vehicles. While this will result in a slight reduction of on-site spaces from 68 to 62, the plans include the addition of new bicycle spaces and a formal arrangement with a nearby grocer to use their 25-space car park for overspill during busy periods.
A key focus of the redevelopment is sustainability. Planning papers detail how the new-built portions will incorporate higher levels of thermal insulation to boost the building's overall energy efficiency. Furthermore, solar panels installed on the southern roof could potentially generate 15KW of clean energy.
In a move to conserve water, the plans also propose the installation of a 7,500-litre underground rainwater harvesting tank. The collected water would be used for non-potable purposes, such as flushing the WCs, significantly reducing the mosque's environmental footprint.
The plans for the Jalalia Jaame Mosque now await consideration by the local planning authority.
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