The Clitheroe v e r t is e r a n


l i s


im e s Thursday, September 23rd, 2004 No. 6,167 news and views from the Centre of the Kingdom www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Price 55p


Anger over new mosque bid


In response, the council’s chief by Faiza Afzaal


ANGRY outbursts from a packed public gallery and placard-waving protesters outside the council chamber marked the latest chap­ ter in Clitheroe's mosque saga. Local residents and supporters of


the BNP gathered at Kibble Valley Borough Council’s chamber on Tue^ day evening to protest at the possibil­ ity of a mosque on council-owned land next to the former council depot off Kirkmoor Road, pictured above. After a sometimes stormy debate,


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executive, Mr David Morris, explained that the council had decid­ ed to sell the site, but was unable to determine the value of the land until the necessary planning application was submitted. Coun. John Hill, leader of the


council, proposed to investigate the impact a mosque would have on local residents and seek advice from the district valuer about how much the


members of. the council’s Policy and


Finance Committee agreed to defer the matter until November’s meeting, pending a series of investigations into the suitability of the site. Outside the chamber, which was


guarded by a high police presence, three supporters of the BNP waved placards, although it later emerged that they had travelled from outside the borough! Inside, there were several angry


outbursts from local residents, who voiced concerns about the effects a mosque would have on the town. These concerns were supported by


I a petition submitted by a furious I ; Kirkmoor Road resident on behalf of ] ' her neighbours, strongly objecting to


I r any development of the site. During the debate it also emerged


that the site had previously been ear­ marked for a proposed arts centre, to which no objections were received. Speaking to councillors, the Kirk­


moor Road objector said: “I am not racist, but I doii’t want a mosque at my front door. The development would lead to car parking problems and could decrease the value of the


nearby houses.” A Castle View resident added: “A


mosque would invite problems con­ nected with racism into the area. The BNP has already been delivering leaflets in the area over the weekend. “With the development of a mosque, we just don’t know what to


expect. “It could just be an excuse to invite


more Muslims from out of the Kibble Valley to come and worship in Clitheroe, which would lead to major parking problems and may cause racist fights.”


O U / o O t t lu si End This Weekend IT no/ l i ^ e s f r o m Vt “SdTnr i n o u r L i n e n D O n H S # 56 King Street, Clitheroe • Telephone; 01200 425151 DAWSON'S


site was worth. After the meeting, the town’s Mus­


lim community spokesman and secre­ tary for Medina Islamic Education Centre, Mr Sheraz Arshad, spoke of his disappointment. “I really thought there would be


some breakthrough and I think the councillors were swayed by the num­ ber of objectors present.” He added: “For 40 years local Mus­ lims have been fighting for a mosque


in the town. “With the help of the council, the


weekly prayers at the council cham­ ber have been a success with around 15 people turning up. “This shows th a t we want a


mosque for the local Muslims - not for loads of Muslims to descend on Clitheroe from across Lancashire. “I think there will eventually be a


mosque in Clitheroe, but it will take time.”


A CRANE moves the overturned lorry at Devil’s Elbow (A200904/5k) Workers’ lucky escape


TWO workmen were lucky to escape alive when a 44-tonne articulated lorry overturned on the notorious A671 at


Devil’s Elbow. The accident happened on Monday -


just eight days after the road reopened to traffic having undergone major safe­


ty work. Lancashire County Council workmen


were working on a bridge next to the tight left-hand bend on the main road through Readwhen they were hit by debris from the lorry and knocked over


PflRFS gg 23 ■ « your SERVICE... PAGES 6,7 ■ VIU.AGP Clearance Sale


the side when the vehicle overturned. Both men were taken to Burnley Gen­ eral Hospital suffering from minor cuts,


bruises and shock. As a result of the accident, which hap­


pened about 12-10 p.m., police sealed off the busy road and it is expected to be closed for the next few days. PC Simon Bolton, of the Road Polic­


ing Unit, has been re-living the incident, which he described as a "complete night­


mare conliniu'd on page


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