Plans for a mosque by Bury St Edmunds Islamic Cultural Organisation attract comments of support as well as objections

Plans to turn a vacant building in Bury St Edmunds into a mosque to provide a permanent place of worship for the Muslim community have been met with a mixture of support and objections.

The Bury St Edmunds Islamic Cultural Organisation (BICO) is hoping to use the Vineyard Centre, in Out Westgate, as a centre for prayers, education and community activities.

The building was originally built in 1940 for use as a Baptist Church, but has undergone multiple uses over the past 80 years including offices.

BICO’s plans are to turn the ground floor into the worship space, while part of the first floor would be a living space for an Imam.

Another part of the first floor would become a prayer space for women, while also offering evening classes for children and an area to host inter-faith meetings.

A statement with the plans said the growing Muslim community in Bury St Edmunds does not currently have a dedicated place of worship.

For the last 20 years, they have relied on hiring various halls in the town, including the Quaker Meeting House, to offer the Friday ritual prayers and community services.

The application to West Suffolk Council has received about 30 public comments in support and about 15 objections.

Concerns centred on the lack of parking and potential noise and disturbance.

Supporters spoke of the importance of having a dedicated place of worship in the town, and how it would help promote inter-faith respect and understanding.

One person commented: “A dedicated place of worship and prayer room is vital for the Muslim community in our town. At present, we lack a proper facility for regular prayers, community events, and educational activities.

“This new space would provide a much-needed venue for spiritual practices, community support, and educational initiatives, greatly enhancing the lives of local Muslims.

“Furthermore, the establishment of this facility will promote cultural understanding and social cohesion in Bury St Edmunds. It will serve as a bridge between different cultural and religious groups, providing opportunities for interfaith dialogue, community events, and open houses.”

An employee of West Suffolk Hospital said they often had to travel to Cambridge for weekly prayers and special occasions due to the absence of a local mosque.

“The lack of a mosque impacts us psychologically and spiritually, highlighting the urgent need for this facility,” they said.

An Imam in Newmarket, who is also a working Chaplin in West Suffolk Hospital, said having this mosque would meet demands of the local hospital too.

A retired Archdeacon, who used to be secretary of the former West Suffolk Interfaith and Community Forum, said it would be ‘excellent’ for the Muslim community to be able to have its own place.

Bury St Edmunds Quakers were also amongst those to give their support, saying: “Through their use for Friday prayers of our Meeting House, we know them to be good, considerate neighbours.”

An objector said their main concern was regarding the parking and access to the proposed mosque, which would be on a busy road with double yellow lines outside the building.

“There have been incidents where multiple vehicles have parked outside causing minimal access to the path itself,” they said. “Out Westgate is a busy thoroughfare for families taking children to and from school and I feel this could be hazardous for pedestrians, especially those who need wheelchair and pushchair access.”

The building does not have any parking spaces, but the applicant stressed most attendees live in the local area and would be walking to the premises.

Also, secure cycle parking for 10 bicycles would be provided at the site and there is a public car park nearby.

Addressing concerns about noise, the applicant said there is no singing or loud music played at any of the congregational prayers and the Muslim call to prayer would be made inside the building without the use of any amplifying equipment.

In terms of the opening hours, information with the application said it is proposed for the premises to be used between the hours of 9am to 11pm Monday to Sunday with a 30-minute opening slot at dawn.

The five congregational prayers are offered at different times of the day depending on the time of the year.

The earliest morning prayer is offered at 4am (December) and the latest late evening prayer at 10.50pm (June).

The information said: “Attendees will be consistently reminded to respect the neighbours and avoid any disturbances while entering and leaving the premises.

“To manage noise levels effectively, staggered exit strategies will be implemented during Friday prayers. BICO volunteers will be present at the front of the premises to deter any gatherings before or after the congregational prayers.”

A supporter of the application said: “Any concerns about noise or parking would apply to our churches in Bury as parking is very limited for St Edmunds, St Mary's and the cathedral.”

Also under the plans, it is proposed to demolish a single-storey rear extension, while a single-storey side extension would be removed and replaced with a timber fence and door to allow easy access to the rear garden.

The original main entrance of the church would be used with the introduction of a small ramp and platform to allow level access.