Sandwell councillors have rejected a proposal to triple the size of Tividale Mosque in Gate Street, citing a significant lack of parking spaces. The decision was made at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday, July 29, after highways officers maintained that revised designs still fell short by 70 parking spaces.
Expansion Plans and Congregation Claims
The application sought to expand the mosque's floorspace to 1,280 square metres, more than triple its current size, and included a dome, minarets, a mortuary, classrooms, and additional prayer space. Despite the mosque's assertion that the number of worshippers would not increase, with most attendees arriving on foot, the council remained unconvinced.
The mosque's trustees said the expansion would make the building “more usable,” but the planning committee rejected the plans over concerns about highway safety and parking provision.
Parking Shortfall and Repeated Refusals
The application was initially scheduled for a decision in June but was deferred due to worries about a substantial parking deficit. Council planners had twice recommended refusal, and highways officers stated there was “clearly not enough space” for the expansion, despite revisions and multiple design alternatives.
Based on the proposed size, the council calculated that 237 parking spaces would be required, yet the application included only 15 spaces—just 6% of that requirement. This left a shortfall of 222 spaces, which the council deemed a “significant” highway safety concern.
Unresolved Congregation Numbers
During the June meeting, mosque trustees acknowledged an error in the application, which initially stated 800 people would attend Friday prayers—the busiest time—when the actual figure was 80 worshippers. However, the council said it had not received evidence to confirm the congregation would remain at 80, especially given the 300% increase in prayer hall floorspace.
Highways officers requested a reduction in prayer hall floorspace to mitigate the risk of future congregation growth, but the mosque was “unwilling” to comply, leaving the council's formal objection in place.
Alternative Designs and Future Expansion
Martin Faulkner, the mosque's architect and application agent, presented a less-favoured single-storey alternative, which would still require 86 parking spaces. He made clear that plans for further expansion remained, but the committee rejected both options.
The council's planners concluded: “When combining the increased footprint, the limited number of off-road parking and the surrounding narrow road widths, it is considered that the parking shortfall is significant and hence would result in highway safety concerns.”
The rejection marks a definitive outcome for the application, though the mosque may consider revised proposals in the future.
