Fury over plans to convert beloved Grade-II listed pub into mosque – despite one already being on the same road

FURY has erupted over plans to convert a beloved Grade-II listed pub into a mosque for over 200 worshippers – despite one already being on the same road. The local Muslim association in Norwich, Norfolk, submitted a planning application to transform the historic boozer into a place of worship. The Grade-II listed pub was built in the 1930s Credit: SWNS CGI mock-ups show the plans to transform the pub into a mosque Credit: SWNS Proposals show a large copper-coloured extension complete with screens and Arabic script which would be built on to the rear of the former pub. The red-brick Gatehouse was built for Norwich brewers in 1934, replacing a 19th-century pub, and was granted Grade II-listed status in 2015. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The much loved boozer shut down three years ago after the death of its landlord before it was bought by the local Muslim association. CGI mock-ups of the proposals show glass-fronted prayer and function halls overlooking gardens and the nearby river. Proposals show glass-fronted prayer and function halls overlooking gardens Credit: SWNS The conversion plans have sparked outrage amongst residents and campaigners Credit: SWNS The conversion plans have sparked outrage as locals fear the development will swarm their streets with cars and campaigners warn a piece of Britain’s traditional pub heritage could be lost. Richard Dixon, a member of the Norwich and District branch of Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA), said: “Norwich has lost many pubs over the years, to either be knocked down or redeveloped. “There are now large areas of the city that have few or even no pubs. The changes to the outside would change the character of the listed building.” He added: “No reasonable efforts were made to show the pub cannot be viable. Whilst the changes would nominally make it a community facility, this will not be as a pub. Most read in The Sun “The Gatehouse was well liked and used by the community for socialising, drinking, music and pub games. It should be retained for use as a public house.” The application submitted by Norwich Muslim Centre currently has nine objections and one public comment supporting the transformation. One objector wrote: “I am horrified to read that the listed Gatehouse pub is to be turned into a Mosque. “We have lost far too many of our pubs and in many cases when a mosque takes on a pub the end result is serious disrepair of the historic building or demolition. “This must not be allowed to happen. There is no need or justification for another mosque in Norwich.” Another objector believed the change would bring more parked vehicles on local roads resulting in a “detrimental impact to the area”. However, supporters of the proposals believe the mosque would rescue the historic building and create a community centre that would “bring people together”. A statement submitted with the application said: “Our dream is to create a community hub that not only provides a space for worship but also empowers the next generation with strong Islamic identity, promotes interfaith engagement and tackles misconceptions about Muslims.” One person wrote: “I welcome the use to which this building will be put and have already been part of a community event. It was delightful. “The respect the mosque expressed for the architecture is great and as long as changes respect the history I think permission should be given.” Sirajul Islam, a trustee of the Norwich Muslim Community Association, said a detailed traffic management plan had been drawn up with nearby parking identified. He added: “There is another mosque located nearby, and the two facilities will work together positively by accommodating worshippers across both sites.” Sirajul said the historic building’s character would be protected and the only significant change would be the multi-purpose hall at the rear of the former pub. Norwich City Council is yet to make a decision on the application. This comes after residents of Queen’s Park in north-west London hit out at proposed plans to replace a former pub with a 13-storey “mega-mosque”. Many have suggested that the towering mosque would look “out of place” in the area and “dwarf” the nearby church.