'We can't sleep at night': Residents fight plans to expand busy mosque amid tension over worshippers waking locals up with early morning prayers

Homeowners in a residential suburb are fighting plans to expand a busy mosque amid tensions over worshippers waking locals up with early morning prayers. The increasing noise and traffic at Jamei Mosque in Winton, Bournemouth, are among the most prevalent concerns causing tensions to arise between worshippers and those neighbouring the site.Locals have complained of being woken in the early hours of the day by those attending pre-dawn prayers; while the noise of tyres driving over the gravel car park, the Imam using a microphone to lead prayers and attendees chatting have been cited as problematic. It is understood frequent issues have also arisen from people arriving for daily prayers and clogging up the narrow roads by parking on double yellow lines, close to junctions and across driveways.Such issues have resulted in tensions building between some residents and worshippers, with claims of slanging matches between the two groups over parking. Now, the mosque – which holds up to 600 people – is seeking to build into the roof space of the large detached building to create extra room for more worshippers.Plans for the expansion include a meeting room and a women and children assembly room incorporated into a first floor extension.But the proposals have been met with resistance from local residents who have stressed their objections are not due to race – but basic planning concerns. The increasing noise and traffic at Jamei Mosque in Winton, Bournemouth, are causing tensions to arise between worshippers and residents A car with a ticket is seen parked on a surrounding road near the popular mosqueThey say the mosque already causes major parking problems and increasing the numbers will lead to chaos, and new car parks on either side of the road – up to the street corners – is an 'accident waiting to happen'.Beverley Gilbert, 62, has lived on the street for 34 years. She said her family struggle to sleep due to midnight prayers and early morning worshipping at 4am.The retail worker said she did not object to there being a mosque but it needed to 'respect and abide by the rules' set by Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council.Ms Gilbert said: 'I was woken at 4.30am today and it seems like there are prayers every day, at all hours of the day.'I've got no objection to a mosque being there but they need to abide by the rules the council have put in place.'If I was playing loud music I would be expected to stop by 11pm and it would be the same if you were throwing a party.'She added: 'Hundreds of people go in there and with the use of the microphones the sounds are amplified.'My eight-year-old grandchild cries because she can't get to sleep, even though we have double glazing.' One local said: 'There are so many cars parked illegally, especially for Friday prayers, that I fear it's an accident waiting to happen'Ms Gilbert said the sound of wheels driving on the gravel late at night is 'so loud'.She said: 'You hear the loud chatting when they leave, even late at night. Our cars have been blocked in but when we've asked them to move we've been shouted at.'I'm not racist but I think it is important to respect others and follow the rules.'Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said when the mosque opened over 20 years ago it was quite small and there were no issues.But she said a large influx in worshippers in recent years has meant that it has 'outgrown the area'.She said: 'When the mosque first opened I don't remember there being problems.'But it has outgrown itself for its location as this is a residential area with narrow streets.'There are so many cars parked illegally, especially for Friday prayers, that I fear it's an accident waiting to happen.'The cars park on either side of the road right up to the corners so there is no visibility for other drivers.' Locals have complained of being woken in the early hours of the day by those attending pre-dawn prayers at the mosque. Pictured is a car parked on a surrounding roadJoin the discussionHow should communities balance religious freedom with the right to peace and quiet in their neighborhood?What's your view?The woman said she does not believe all the worshippers are 'respectful'. Instead, she said 'tensions are starting to grow between the mosque and the residents'. She added: 'It can be intimidating if you are a woman and you are walking alone along the road after prayers have ended with so many people gathered on the street.'It is a small place of worship which has outgrown itself already but an extension will mean even more people and makes things worse.'The woman went on to say if the mosque was extended, it would overlook her garden and affect her 'privacy'.Fellow neighbour Delia Harris said she was concerned about any increase and intensity by the number of men using the property would cause severe disruption to our communityJamei Mosque has a sign on its wall urging worshippers to 'respect our neighbours when leaving'.It also urges them to 'leave the area quickly and quietly' and to 'not park on double yellow lines and respect our neighbours' driveways'.