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A New Civic Landmark for North Bristol Receives Planning Approval
We are delighted to announce that planning permission has been granted for the new Shahporan Islamic Centre in Southmead, Bristol.
The project replaces an existing and heavily constrained building with a new community-focused centre designed to serve both present and future generations.
The proposal brings together prayer facilities, educational spaces, community rooms, a kitchen, gardens, roof allotments and outdoor gathering spaces within a single architectural composition. Rather than treating the building as a purely functional container, the design seeks to create a place of identity, belonging and community life.
The proposal brings together prayer facilities, educational spaces, community rooms, a kitchen, gardens, roof allotments and outdoor gathering spaces within a single architectural composition. Rather than treating the building as a purely functional container, the design seeks to create a place of identity, belonging and community life.
The site presented a number of significant challenges throughout the planning process. These included transport, parking, ecology, contamination and environmental considerations. Over an extended period, the design evolved through dialogue with consultants, planning officers and local stakeholders to ensure the project could successfully respond to these constraints while maintaining its original ambition.
A key objective from the outset was to demonstrate that community buildings can contribute positively to their surroundings. Green roofs, rooftop growing spaces, biodiversity enhancements and carefully considered public spaces form an integral part of the proposal.
Architecturally, the project draws inspiration from both local context and Islamic geometric traditions. Pattern, landscape and form are used not as decoration, but as devices to create orientation, identity and a memorable sense of place.
For Studio Olassan, this approval represents more than a planning milestone. It demonstrates how thoughtful design, persistence and collaboration can transform a complex site into a project that delivers long-term social, environmental and cultural value.
We would like to thank the Shahporan Islamic Centre committee, Bristol City Council officers, consultants and all those who contributed to the development of the proposal.
We now look forward to the next stage of the project and to seeing this vision become reality.
Architecture should leave a mark on the city.
Our proposal for Shah Jalal Jame Mosque has been featured in Bristol Live.
In February 2026, planning permission was granted for the consolidation and enhancement of the Islamic Education Centre in Weston-super-Mare following determination by the Planning & Regulatory Committee.
The application brought together three existing buildings into a single coordinated facility, improving accessibility, internal organisation and operational efficiency while remaining within the existing building footprint. The proposals also delivered enhancements to the Palmer Street frontage, contributing positively to the character of the Conservation Area.
The scheme attracted substantial public representation and was ultimately referred to Planning Committee for determination. As part of the process, Studio olassan addressed the Committee in support of the application, presenting the planning merits of the proposal and responding to the key issues considered throughout the assessment process.
Beyond the physical improvements to the buildings, the project secures the long-term future of an important community facility serving Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area. The centre provides prayer facilities, educational activities, language support, youth programmes and wider community services from a sustainable town-centre location.
Planning approvals of this nature are rarely determined by design alone. They require careful coordination between planning policy, conservation considerations, highways requirements and operational management. This project demonstrates how complex community-led developments can successfully navigate public scrutiny while remaining aligned with local and national planning policy.
The Committee resolved to grant planning permission.
This approval marks an important milestone in the continued evolution of the Islamic Education Centre and the wider regeneration of its town-centre setting.
Video by William Woodward
Construction is underway at Shah Jalal Mosque.
This short video captures the site in motion, revealing the emerging structure, materials, and spatial framework as the project moves from drawings into built form.
The process reflects a careful balance between technical delivery, community use, and the long-term life of the building. Each stage brings the project closer to becoming a lived space rather than a finished object.
Further updates will follow as the work continues on site.
We have submitted a full planning application for the proposed development at Land East of 71 Battersea Road, Bristol.
The submission follows an extensive period of site analysis, policy review, and design development, addressing the spatial, environmental, and contextual considerations raised through earlier stages of the project. The proposal is shaped by a clear understanding of local character, planning constraints, and long-term use.
The application is now under review by the local planning authority. Further updates will follow as the process progresses.
