Planners order removal of ‘clutter’ from Galway mosque

City planning officials have ordered the removal of some signage from a mosque in Ballybrit, branding them “excessive visual clutter”.

The signs were erected without planning permission by the Ahmadiyya Muslin Association of Ireland at the Galway Mosque and Cultural Centre.

Dr Mamoon Rashid and Dr Anwar Malik of the group subsequently sought permission to retain eight existing signs on the front, side and rear elevations of the mosque, one sign on the cottage, as well as permission for two proposed signs at the site entrance and two proposed flag poles.

Engineers representing the group wrote: “It came to our attention that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Ireland erected signs on the mosque which were not included in the original planning application.

“We brought this to their attention and they noted that they did not realise the need for such permission.

“The Association has advised us that signage on their mosques is very important and is common practice throughout Ireland and Europe.

“We are of the view that the existing and proposed signs will enhance the mosque and also give a clear indication of its location and purpose,” the application reads.

However, planners issued a split decision on the application – permitting several signs, but ordering the omission of the remaining ones and proposed flag poles.

“It is considered that the advertisements erected on three out of the four elevations of the building gives rise to visual clutter and is visually obtrusive, giving rise to a negative impact on the visual amenity of the existing building and on the visual amenity of the surrounding residential area.

“Given the size of the existing mosque building, the level of existing signage is unnecessary for the purposes of identification of the building and therefore its necessity is questionable,” Assistant Planner Peter Staunton said.

The Council granted permission for the retention of three existing signs on the front of the mosque and three signs at the cultural centre.

Permission was refused for existing signs on the eastern and southern sides of the mosque and for the proposed flag poles in the interest of the protection of visual amenities of the area.