New ‘civic landmark’ minaret installed on mosque in latest Bristol planning applications

This week's list of notable planning applications submitted to the city council

06:00, 25 May 2026

How the new minaret would look(Image: Studio Olassan)

A new "civic landmark" minaret could soon be installed on top of a mosque according to new plans recently submitted. Each week Bristol City Council[1] receives dozens of planning applications seeking permission for a whole range of developments.

Over the past seven days, those applications also included converting a recycling plant into a data centre and building flats above a shop. Here's this week's round-up of notable planning applications submitted to the council.

Every week dozens are validated by the local authority and we have selected some of the more interesting proposals.

All planning applications submitted to the council have to be validated and are available for inspection by the public. Anyone is also allowed to submit comments about the applications -- whether in support or objection.

The majority of applications are decided by planning officers at the council under delegated powers. However, some will go before elected councillors who sit on planning committees.

No dates have been set for when the planning applications below will be determined. They can be viewed by going to the planning portal[2] on Bristol City Council's website.

New minaret for mosque

A new minaret could soon be erected on top of a mosque in Eastville. The Shah Jalal Jame Mosque is located on Stapleton Road near the junction with Fishponds Road.

The plans include changing the external appearance of the adjacent Khadiza Centre, and providing office and kitchen facilities on the ground floor.

In planning documents[3], architects said: "The Khadiza Centre, in its current form, lacks architectural coherence and does not reflect the language or quality of the approved mosque extension. The disconnection between the two elements weakens the overall presence of the complex within the streetscape."

The planned minaret would just be symbolic rather than a functional tower. Unlike traditional minarets, it would not be used for the call to prayer and would not incorporate an amplified sound system.

The mosque was one of the earlier purpose-built mosques in Bristol. The new minaret would be visible from the M32 motorway, becoming a "recognisable civic landmark".

Flats above a shop

Five flats could be built[4] above a shop on East Street in Bedminster[5]. The first floor flat above Scrivens Opticians and East Street News would be converted into two flats, and then a four-storey building would be constructed behind the existing building, fronting onto Herbert Street, with four flats.

A similar planning application was recently refused by the council.

This part of Bedminster is rapidly changing, with the shopping street turning gradually into more of a residential area. Several large shops have shut down recently on East Street, including Wilko, while an increasing number of apartments are being built in the surrounding area. No parking spaces would be provided however there would be space to lock up bicycles.

Chopping down oak tree

An oak tree in Withywood on the south-west outskirts of Bristol could soon be chopped down.

The tree is located in a back garden of a house on Oaktree Gardens, on the very edge of the city, but is "completely hollow inside". The applicant is concerned that if the tree fell, children playing in the garden could be injured.

Photos submitted as part of the application[6] show damage to boundary walls, which have large cracks running through them. And a large hole is present in the trunk, where a branch appears to have broken off several years ago.

Recycling plant converted into data centre

A recycling plant in Avonmouth[7] could soon be converted into a data centre.

The polymers recycling facility is located on Severn Road and run by Viridor, a large recycling company. The plans[8] are at an early stage, and the applicants have submitted a request for a screening opinion, to see if an environmental impact assessment is needed.

A new three-storey structure would be built, housing standby generators, electrical switchrooms and a cooling plant.

The data centre would need staff around the clock, supporting between 10 and 15 full-time jobs.

A three-metre high steel fence would be built around the data centre with guard houses at each of the two entrances.

References

1. ^ Bristol City Council (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ planning portal (pa.bristol.gov.uk)
3. ^ planning documents (pa.bristol.gov.uk)
4. ^ Five flats could be built (pa.bristol.gov.uk)
5. ^ Bedminster (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
6. ^ Photos submitted as part of the application (pa.bristol.gov.uk)
7. ^ Avonmouth (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
8. ^ The plans (pa.bristol.gov.uk)