What began as a quiet construction project has now become the center of a heated debate in the picturesque Lake District.
The plan to build a new £2.5 million mosque in Dalton-in-Furness is stirring up passionate responses on both sides — from those who see it as a much-needed place of worship, to those calling it a “monstrosity” threatening the area’s natural beauty.
A Controversial Project Backed by Local Muslim Doctors
The proposed mosque, officially named the South Lakes Islamic Centre, is being built to serve the needs of Muslim healthcare professionals and their families in the area.
Backed by a group of doctors working at Furness General Hospital, the project aims to provide prayer, teaching, and community facilities for Muslims living locally and visiting the region.
With the nearest mosque located 50 miles away in Lancaster, supporters argue this new space will finally give the Muslim community — including around 40 to 50 practicing doctors — a place to gather and worship.
Planning Approved, But Protests Follow
Although plans for the three-storey Islamic Centre were officially approved in December 2022, opposition has grown louder as construction gets underway.
Demonstrations erupted at the site in Crooklands Brow, with protesters both supporting and rejecting the build lining the streets, waving flags, and chanting slogans from opposite sides of the road.
While supporters rallied with banners reading, “Islamic Centre is welcome here,” counter-protesters waved Union Jacks and Knights Templar flags, with some shouting accusations about the mosque being “a blot on the landscape.”
Online Criticism Adds to Community Tension
Social media has been flooded with strong opinions.
Several residents voiced concerns online, calling the structure “absolutely disgusting” and a “blight” on the natural environment.
Some feared it would change the character of the Lake District, with one post lamenting, “There goes the beautiful Lake District.”
But supporters say the backlash doesn’t reflect the views of the wider community.
Advocates Say the Centre Will Promote Inclusion
Local voices have stepped in to defend the project.
Mandy Penellum, secretary of Barrow’s Trades Council, said the centre represents the town’s diverse and inclusive identity.
“We’ve always been a welcoming and tolerant community,” she said.
“The Islamic Centre isn’t just for worship — it’s also going to be a valuable community asset.”
She added that negative media coverage had distorted public perception and stressed the importance of unity, especially in a town like Barrow that relies on the contributions of healthcare workers from around the globe.
Delays and Supply Issues Blamed on Negative Media Attention
According to representatives from the South Lakes Islamic Centre, construction has faced unexpected delays — not because of logistics, but due to resistance stirred by media coverage.
In a YouTube update, a spokesperson claimed that local suppliers began pulling out after segments aired on GB News.
“Concrete delivery was delayed, and some quarries even refused to sell us stone,” the spokesperson said, suggesting the backlash was impacting progress.
Despite these setbacks, work continues on-site.
Voices of Solidarity Step Forward
Paul Jenkins, from Stand Up to Racism and Unite Against Fascism, also weighed in, calling the opposition to the mosque unrepresentative of local sentiment.
“Dalton is a multicultural, multi-faith town,” he said.
“Those who are trying to stir division do not speak for the majority here.”
Construction on the South Lakes Islamic Centre may be physically progressing, but socially, it’s become a symbol of deeper conversations — about inclusion, religion, identity, and how communities move forward together.