PREVIOUS plans for a mosque in Clitheroe have been turned down by Ribble Valley Borough Council on planning grounds, though these have not been universally accepted.

The current application for the former Methodist Church on Lowergate does however, appear much more appropriate. The usual grounds for opposition are being expressed, but are much less valid.

Traffic flow and speed on Lowergate are two such points. The amount of traffic should not increase by much as most people walk to their place of worship.

Speeding is an offence and should be dealt with as such; it is not grounds for refusing the right to have a place of worship.

If the building is attacked by vandals, the vandals, not the Muslims, should suffer. Clitheroe must rid itself of such people.

The building was constructed as a place of worship and would return to that. Using the top floor for interfaith and community groups is forward thinking.

The small, but significant, Muslim population of Clitheroe are conspicuous by their efforts to integrate with the rest of the town. Surely, this should be applauded.

It is unlikely that they will ever find a better venue. If this plan is rejected, the building will be used for other purposes, likely to cause more problems than this proposal.

DR A MARSDEN, Butts Grove, Clitheroe.