South Lakes Islamic Centre member says community are 'supportive'

The South Lakes Islamic Centre charity is to bring a place of worship for Muslims to Dalton.

The group has said it would provide a space for practising Muslims in the area and save them from having to travel around 100 miles for worship.

Planning approval was granted in December 2022 and it was anticipated the project would be completed a year or two years ago. 

A member of the community, who did not want to be named, said it was awaiting section 278 approval from the council which allows for alterations to a public highway. The fact that South Lakes Islamic Centre, on Crooklands Brow, will be a new build has made the process 'very slow', the member said.  

Planning approval was given for the site in 2022 (Image: South Lakes Islamic Centre)

The member, who is involved in the project, works in a traditional professional occupation. He said that around '300' people call themselves Muslim in the area, and many also work as professionals in places such as surgeries. 

"We don't have any religious facilities here in Barrow," he said. "It puts off a lot of people from staying.

"If you need to go to the mosque you need to go to Lancaster.

"If somebody passes away for all the rites to happen you have to go to Preston or Lancaster."

The group said the space would cater to the 40 to 50 practising Muslim doctors at Furness General Hospital and their families, as well as 'professionals, business communities and other trade workers who will need basic prayer, burial, teaching and community facilities'

Funding for the site, which costs 'in the region of £2.5 million', has come from grants from Muslims across the country as many visit the Lake District on holiday and want a nearby place to pray, he said. They have also raised hundreds of thousands through fundraisers. 

He said anyone would be able to go into the mosque.

“Generally this is an open community mosque - nobody is going to ask if you are Muslim or not,” he said.

“As long as you're respectful you're fine to look at the facility." He said the space could be used for community events when there are no prayers. 

The member said he did want to give his name until the centre was built because he wanted to protect his family.

He said police visited him to check if he was well after the recent UK-wide riots. 

In 2022 members of far-right group Patriotic Alternative protested at the site. 

Despite this, he said he avoids hate because he is not on social media.

"The people I'm in contact with, they are extremely supportive," he said.

"To be honest if there was any threat I wouldn't have been living in the area." 

The original plans proved controversial when first submitted with around 30 objections made on the proposals.

Some residents also wrote letters in support of the plan.

Comments online ‘demonising the Muslim community’ were condemned by local councillors.