A BID to expand a mosque could still go ahead after a senior councillor intervened to prevent the application being refused outright.

The Chingford Islamic Society bookshop and cultural centre in Chingford Mount Road wants to convert the adjacent nail shop and first floor flat, which it bought last year.

The proposal would see the ground and first floors of both buildings joined together to create a prayer hall and and a large study room.

The society's current building, which is attended by up to 300 people on it's busiest days, has to split sessions in two due to limited space.

Officers recommended the plans for refusal due to the loss of a residential premises, the impact on surrounding residential occupiers and parking, with the increased number of visitors.

But Lea Bridge ward councillor and cabinet member Afzal Akram has stepped in to ask officers to refer the application to a planning committee.

However, he has not made a formal comment on the bid and explained why he has intervened.

The proposed mosque opening hours are from sunrise to 11.30pm every day, including Bank holidays, with prayers up to five times a day.

The council said nearby residents on Chingford Mount Road and Royston Avenue were consulted, but no responses were received.

A decision is due to be made by the planning committee on May 3.

In 1999, an application to build the current Mosque was opposed by some nearby residents.

Previous applications to erect a first-floor extension have also been refused.

Councillor Akram has refused to comment on why he intervened in the application.

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