Despite significant opposition, Leicester City Council has approved a proposal to convert a former pub in Eyres Monsell into a mosque and education centre.
The Eyres Monsell Community Foundation, which has already purchased the site, will redevelop The Glen on Hillsborough Road into a place of worship after councillors voted six to two in favour, with two abstentions. The pub has been closed since 2022.
The foundation had argued it had outgrown its current premises at the Eyres Monsell Community Centre and required a larger, dedicated facility.
Council planning officers supported the proposal, stating that parking availability was sufficient and noise impacts would be minimal. The council imposed several conditions on the approval, including restricted opening hours between 07:30 and 23:00, with some flexibility during Ramadan. Outdoor areas cannot be used for worship or events, and amplified sound is prohibited.
Public reaction was mixed: over 870 objections were submitted, and a petition opposing the project gathered 2,500 signatures. Concerns focused on noise, traffic, and parking. In contrast, 260 residents supported the scheme, with a petition in favour signed by 328 people. The facility is expected to attract 50–100 worshippers on typical weekdays, rising to about 200 on Fridays.
The decision allows the Eyres Monsell Community Foundation to proceed with restoring the vacant 1950s property to active use for religious and educational purposes.
