Mosque plan for former Moycullen pub

Plans have been drawn up by a member of the Western Islamic Cultural Centre to convert the former Co-Op bar and restaurant premises in Moycullen for prayer and community use.

Molon Bazlul Haque – one of two people behind a hugely controversial mosque in the Mincloon area on the western side of Galway City which was built without planning permission – has sought permission for a change of use of the Co-Op to community use, including meeting, education and prayers and a complete fit-out internally.

However, there are no other details provided in the planning file before Galway County Council, such as parking provision, intended hours of use or numbers of people expected to attend prayer.

While a provisional decision date of September 25 has been signalled by the Council, the local authority is expected to request extensive further information.

Mr Bazlul Haque is listed on the planning file as the owner of the building, which is currently advertised for sale. He also owns the Aroma food store located near the Westside post office in the city and has been involved in Eastern Tandoori restaurant at the Spanish Arch.

Submissions from members of the public must be lodged with the Council by September 4. An objection has already been lodged by the tenant of a gallery in the building.

Last year, An Bord Pleanála rejected an attempt to retain a mosque which was built in Mincloon without planning permission – on the grounds it would cause a serious traffic hazard and injure the residential amenity of the area.

The owners of the house, Dr Saud Bajwa (a consultant living in Moycullen) and Molon Bazlul Haque (a restaurateur and shop owner in Galway) of the Western Islamic Cultural Centre, had sought permission to retain the use of the property as a place of worship by the Muslim community, to construct a weather porch to the front, and to mark off 16 car parking spaces.

City planners said the building – which has been mired in controversy since 2010 and served with several Enforcement and Warning Notices by the City Council – adversely impact the rural area and neighbouring residents, that it is a substandard development and if allowed to remain in place, would cause a serious traffic and pedestrian hazard. They rejected the application, a decision which was subsequently appealed.

This is a preview only. For full details, see this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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