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A GROUP of Stockleigh residents has slammed a proposal for a mosque in their suburb amid fears the building will ruin their semi-rural lifestyle.

Fears over increased traffic, noise pollution, environmental damage, excess waste water and house devaluation topped a list of concerns when 10 residents met with the Times last week.

Despite a sign on the street displaying the message “we say no Muslim mosque”, the group are adamant their concerns are not racially based and say they would have the same concerns if a sporting field or another building of significance was proposed for the land on the corner of Neville and Stockleigh Roads.

The application for the mosque was lodged by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Queensland, who have worshipped at the site for 15 years.

The planned mosque would have traditional eastern architectural design features and be a single storey structure standing 8.5m above ground. Total floor area of the mosque would be 756.6 square metres plus a basement of 360 square metres.

A planned minaret, which is a symbolic structure of cultural significance to the Muslim community, would also be part of the mosque design and stand about 10m high.

Stockleigh Road resident of 28 years Claus Grimm (pictured above front with a group of Stockleigh residents) said the mosque was completely out of style and character within the area.

“It’s eastern features do not fit in with the environment here,” he said.

“It is a residental area and I wouldn’t mind a building that blends into the environment but the sheer size, calibre and over powering appearance of the building won’t allow it to blend in. We have no problems with their religion and are happy to accept the current situation but a mosque is out of the question.”

Mr Grimm said he feared the mosque was being planned to accommodate more growth in the association.

Stockleigh’s Maureen Dopson said she was worried the planned minaret, which is generally a free standing tall tower, would be used for the group’s call to prayer broadcast.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Queensland secretary Ehsan Alvi moved to allay residents’ fears.

He said the minaret would be part of the mosque due to its cultural value and would not be used for prayer calling.

“It will not have any speakers and will not be used to create noise,” he said.

Mr Alvi said the association, which does not allow alcohol or loud music on the site,  had not had any previous complaints regarding noise.

He dismissed the concern over house devaluations and said house prices would more than likely increase following rapid housing developments in the area.

He also said the property was used for worship purposes and as a community meeting place with nothing expected to change if the planned mosque gets the tick of approval.

“We are not going to have any rush of people coming to this place, we have had steadily grown over the years and that is because families will grow- people have children and we make no apologies for that,” he said.

Division Nine Councillor Phil Pidgeon, who met up with about 25 Stockleigh residents on Saturday, said concerns had been raised with him but because the site was already a place of worship council would be inclined to approve the mosque with strict conditions.