New mosque plans set to transform Rochdale landmark

Monday, 1 September 2025 21:15

By George Lythgoe

A new and improved Mosque could soon be built in the heart of Rochdale as part of a ‘legacy project’ for the community.

The Jalalia Jaame Mosque has been earmarked for a proposed extension and remodelling. The Trafalgar Street site has grown in size and popularity since it was built back in the 1970s. Now, the mosque wants to transform to suit the needs of the area better.

A first-floor extension, a lift, and two stairways, as well as improved common area facilities and a small addition to the main prayer space, are all proposed within the building.

It will look vastly different from the outside, with the current dome and minaret being removed and replaced with a more modern design and new minaret.

The car park will also be redesigned to allow for better vehicle manoeuvring, resulting in a reduction from 68 to 62 available spaces. However, bicycle spaces will be included, and an arrangement has been made with the nearby grocers to use their 25-space car park for overspill, according to the planning documents.

Detailing the eco-friendly aspects of the project, planning papers read: “The extension provides the opportunity to increase the overall energy efficiency of the building. The newly built portions will incorporate higher levels of thermal insulation in the building fabric.

“In addition, solar panels on the ‘southern’ roof could potentially provide 15KW of energy.

“To minimise water usage, it is proposed to incorporate a 7500 litre below-ground rainwater harvesting tank which could provide water for flushing of the WCs.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Crown Oil Arena sleep out raises thousands to help end homelessness in Rochdale

Volunteers brave the cold at football stadium to raise over £5,600 for vulnerable people in the borough
The seven Bee Network bus changes affecting five boroughs and 150,000 passengers announced

Andy Burnham announced seven major changes to the Bee Network this afternoon, promising more frequent services, new night buses, and cheaper travel for tens of thousands.
Families left heartbroken as churchyard rules force removal of grave tributes

Families in Littleborough have voiced anger and distress after being told treasured items left on graves at St Barnabas Church must be removed by Sunday 7 September.
350 homes and park and ride plans for 60 acres of green belt just yards from hard shoulder of M66

Plans have been submitted for a huge new housing estate, aemployment area and park and ride on green belt land next to the M66.
Huge flood defence scheme progresses

Work is progressing on a massive £46m flood defence scheme that could protect hundreds of homes and businesses in Rochdale.
Huge 91m mast to be built later this month as part of Scout Moor II wind farm

A 91m-high meteorological mast will be built on moorland north of Manchester later this month as part of a controversial wind farm scheme.
Assistance dog charity appeals for Rochdale volunteers as new training hub opens

A national hearing dog charity is launching a new training base in Rochdale and is calling on local dog lovers to help raise life-changing puppies
Every Picture tells a story and every story develops its own narrative

Never let the truth get in the way of selective understanding.
The group defending the moorland from wind turbines

Scout Moor wind farm has dominated the skyline north of Manchester for two decades, now there is a plan to build 17 bigger, more powerful wind turbines on the cards.
Killer jailed for £12 Tesco row murder dies at Buckley Hall prison

A man jailed for taking part in the horrific killing of a homeless man has died while serving his sentence at Rochdale’s Buckley Hall prison.
The idea that could protect the water levels of a tourist hotspot

It has been one of the hottest summers on record – possibly the hottest ever.
When does a peaceful protest cross into far-right territory?

A protest took place in Heywood today, Saturday 30 August, billed by organisers as peaceful, and on the surface, it was. Concerned residents gathered, marched a few laps around the town centre’s one-way system, and listened to a series of impassioned speeches.