The Environment Agency (EA) has objected to the Norwich Muslim Centre’s plans to transform the Gatehouse on Dereham Road which backs onto the River Wensum.
The EA say the extension to the pub building, which would form a new prayer hall, would be built in a floodplain, potentially reducing the amount of land available to store floodwater.
The Norwich Muslim Centre has submitted plans to transform the Gatehouse pub on Dereham Road into a place of worship. (Image: Gatehouse Community Hub)
It says the scheme fails to demonstrate there would not be increased flood risk in the area.
The authority warns this could increase the risk of flooding elsewhere and recommended the application is refused by Norwich City Council unless the concerns are addressed.
However, it added the objection could be overcome if revised proposals or flood-compensation measures are submitted to show there would be no loss of flood-storage capacity.
The Norwich Muslim Centre submitted plans to transform the Gatehouse pub on Dereham Road into a place of worship earlier this year.
The plans have been met with hundreds of objections from those who believe the Gatehouse should remain a pub.
The pub was built in the 1930s and is almost an exact copy of the Artichoke in Magdalen Road (Image: Newsquest)
A spokesman for the Norwich Muslim Centre said the site is intended for use by the wider community and not as an exclusive mosque.
A mission statement submitted with the plans says: “Our dream is to create a community hub that not only provides a space for worship but also empowers the next generation with strong Islamic identity, promotes interfaith engagement and tackles misconceptions about Muslims.”
Council officials have also objected to the plans over concerns the scheme would cause “unacceptable harm” to the building.
Others have commented in support of the new proposals, saying the new use will provide more opportunity for the community.
Norwich City Council is yet to make a decision on whether to grant the permission for the plans.