‘Hideous’ mosque project ’totally out of character’ says mum gearing up for legal fight | UK | News

A “hideous” mosque under construction on the edge of the Lake District is “totally out of character” with the picturesque area, an irate local campaigner has claimed. The £2.5 million South Lakes Islamic Centre on Crooklands Brow, in Dalton-in-Furness, has sparked a fierce campaign led by Donna Hill, a 43-year-old mum-of-two and children’s support worker, to hire a planning barrister.

The GoFundMe effort, which is now approaching £9,000, follows planning approval granted during lockdown, which locals claim lacked consultation. A petition opposing the mosque has over 70,000 signatures. Ms Hill told Express.co.uk the mosque’s three-storey design, with a lift and rooftop terrace, clashes with Dalton’s aesthetic.

She said: “It’s so out of place. It’s just an absolute eyesore. The building just doesn’t fit here—it’s not in keeping with the Lake District’s character.”

The barrister will probe the planning process for irregularities. Ms Hill said: “It was all passed during lockdown.” She also questioned the project’s funding, citing a £50,000 donation.

Ms Hill said: “You can’t even go in the bank and put £1,000 in without questioning where it’s come from. So where is all this money coming from?”

Traffic is a major concern given the mosque’s 11 parking spaces are deemed insufficient for a road near a Catholic school and rugby ground.

Ms Hill said: “It’s a nightmare that road. I just can’t imagine what it will be like if there’s on a Friday, or if there’s a funeral.”

A newly installed pedestrian crossing near the school, long requested but only recently approved, has raised suspicions.

Ms Hill said: “The school have asked for a crossing for several years, but it’s been declined, but now there’s suddenly a crossing there, which is very suspicious.”

Set to serve 40 to 50 Muslim doctors at Furness General Hospital and others in the Furness area, the mosque has been defended by the South Lakes Islamic Centre as a community hub.

However, Ms Hill questioned its necessity, citing Dalton’s 0.4% Muslim population. She said: “We’ve got no Muslims in the area, so we just think, you know, why?

“They say it’s for the doctors at the hospital, but yet, they’re closing the ICU unit.”

In June, anti-mosque protesters, many from outside Dalton, clashed with counter-protesters.

Ms Hill, who has herself been suspended from her job after a picture of her at the protest was widely shared online, said: “The way they behaved last time, it’s obvious that the paid actors, some of them, it’s just obvious the way they were dancing, about having great time.”

She insists the fight is about transparency. Ms Hill said: “It’s nothing about, you know, racism and what we keep getting accused of.”

A South Lakes Islamic Centre spokesman said: “The objections being raised are based on misinformation.South Lakes Islamic Centre is a registered charity with audited accounts available online (uk reg 1182304).

The site was already commercial, with plans approved for a commercial warehouse and all planning and parking surveys were carried out in full compliance with regulations.

The Yarlwell crossing, funded 100% by the South Lakes Islamic Centre under a Section 278 agreement, improves safety for the whole community, not just our congregation.

It is ironic to claim Muslims make up ‘less than 1%’ of the local population while also suggesting we will somehow overwhelm parking. These are subjective objections. We remain transparent and open to engage with anyone who wants to see the facts and the positive impact our centre will bring.

However, with construction ongoing for completion before Ramadan 2026, the barrister’s review could force a reassessment as Dalton grapples with infrastructure, aesthetics, and inclusivity.