ONE of Huddersfield’s oldest mosques is looking to expand.

But residents living near the Masjid Usman Mosque in Springwood are opposing the plan, which they fear will bring more congestion to the area.

The two-storey end terrace has been an Islamic place of worship since 1962.

The building, on Upper George Street, is Grade II listed and lies within the Springwood Conservation Area.

Planners will decide next week whether to allow the mosque to demolish a single-storey extension at the rear of the property and replace it with a larger structure.

The proposed L-shaped extension would run along the northern and eastern boundaries of the site.

It would provide the mosque with 175 sq metres of extra space which would be used for a 100sq metre hall with washing and toilet facilities. The extension would be 5.2m high.

Fifty-one residents have signed a petition against the extension.

Their objections include:

There has been a “significant increase” in the number of people attending the mosque, which has increased parking problems

Worshippers have parked on corners and double yellow lines

Improved facilities will lead to more worshippers, which will increase parking problems further.

The mosque is responsible for late-night noise including banging car doors.

However, the mosque carried out a survey of its worshippers in 2010 which showed that three-quarters of them walked to Friday prayers, with only 13% coming by car.

Council planners have recommended that the extension goes ahead.

An official wrote: “The proposed works would result in the removal of an unsympathetic addition to the listed building and its replacement with a sensitively designed extension. The development would enhance an established community facility in a sustainable location.

“The limitations of access and parking associated with the facility have been assessed and it is considered that the extension would not materially change the activity generated by the site.

“The physical extension of the building would not adversely affect the occupiers of surrounding buildings.

“The existing use and the proposed extension are not perceived to contribute to crime and disorder in the area.”

The council’s Huddersfield Planning Sub-committee will rule on the extension at its monthly meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall from 9.15am on Thursday.