Plans approved for Kilmarnock Central Mosque expansion

The green light has been given for the development of Ayrshire Central Mosque, located at the intersection of Hill Street, Witch Road, and Balmoral Road.

The new single-story extension will wrap around the southern and western sides of the existing structure, adding 4.8m to its depth and 3.8m to its width.

Rising 2m, the total height will reach approximately 6.1m, yet the building will maintain its status as a low single-story property.

The updated exterior will feature white silicone render, perforated metal cladding, dark grey framed glazing, and a metal-clad minaret, intended to create a contemporary landmark that resonates with the surrounding HALO hub and college.

The car park will also be extended with tarmac, measuring approximately 16.4m by 21.6m, with a new entrance coming from Balmoral Road.

The mosque's local planners regard this expansion as a "minor departure" from the original site allocation but have allowed it once it was confirmed that the modifications will not interfere with broader HALO development plans.

The landscaping component of the project will involve the introduction of new planting along Hill Street and Balmoral Road, along with the assurance that two-year-old trees, owned by HALO Group, will remain untouched.

The approval comes after no objections or endorsements were filed during the consultation period.

The plan also addresses energy efficiency by re-utilising the existing building and incorporating solar panels on the roof, though it remains exempt from LDP2's low/zero-carbon technology statement.

To view the plans in full, you can go to East Ayrshire Council's planning portal under reference 26/0212/PP.