Plans for a 20,000 sq ft Islamic Community Centre on Green Belt land in Timperley are set to be submitted to Trafford Council.
The Altrincham Muslim Association (AMA) has told members that after “several years of discussion and consultation” with Trafford, a detailed planning application will be submitted “soon”.
The “simple and elegant structure” would be located on Green Belt fields off Thorley Lane, close to the World Of Water Aquatic Centre.
An AMA newsletter said: “The inspiration for the project was to conceive and capture a simple and elegant structure that would sit quietly in the landscape and would encourage contemplation and reflection.”
It says the two-storey development would “complement its rural content” and resemble a “Pavilion in the Park”.
The centre would include two main community/prayer halls over two floors, a “garden of contemplation”, a cafe and gallery space
The Altrincham Muslim Association currently operates from the Islamic Cultural Centre on Grove Lane in Hale, having bought the former St David’s Church in 2003.
Any planning application relating to the scheme has not yet appeared on Trafford’s online planning application portal.
Two years ago, Trafford’s planning department refused an application to build a detached bungalow on a site on the junction of Thorley Lane and Wood Lane, not far from the proposed location for the Islamic centre.
In its decision notice outlining the reasons for the refusal, head of planning Rob Haslam said the development was “located within the Green Belt where there is a presumption against inappropriate development and where development will only be allowed if it is for an appropriate purpose or where very special circumstances can be demonstrated”.
He added that the proposed development “would harm the openness and character of the Green Belt and would be detrimental to the visual amenities of the area”.
