The redevelopment of a mosque will not increase capacity or impact parking according to trustees seeking to reassure communities about proposed changes.

Trustees of the South Woodford Muslim Community Centre and Mosque, Mulberry Way want to create more space so children are less crammed during classes.

Plans include to create a three storey building with community and pray hall on the ground floor with the remaining floors converted into four flats.

A preliminary consultation was carried out with residents earlier this month to illustrate plans and trustees say they are keen for residents to become involved.

Qaiser Malik, secretary of the Qur’ani Murkuz Trust, said they are hoping to submit the final planning application in four weeks and are waiting for final designs from the architects.

“We are not increasing capacity,” he said. “One of the provisions of the application is that we are not expanding the 250 people capacity.

“The children are cramped up during classes and have to sit right next to each other. We need to expand to give them a more comfortable space.”

Mr Malik, of Woodford Green, said that feedback from the consultation held two weeks ago had been generally positive with the main issue being traffic flow and parking.

He said: “The main concern was the traffic and we said was we are not increasing the numbers as we are still staying within the previous application of 250 people.

“The residential units are proposed to be parking free development as it is close to public transport and other amenities.”

Mr Malik said the centre offers a number of classes such as religious education for children, mother and toddler coffee mornings as well as senior citizen clubs.

He added: “There’s an increased number of children attending the evening classes and the facilities are inadequate. We are also a very inclusive place for women’s activities and the ladies need more space..”

If you would to find out more about the plans visit www.qmtrust.org.