The City Government (byrådet) now approves that Søndre Nordstrand Muslimske Senter may expand the mosque from 800 to 2000 square metres, including a tower in metal and glass. The Agency for Planning and Building Services (PBE) states explicitly that a prohibition of the call to prayer cannot be “secured” in the plan.
The City Government (byrådet) in Oslo recently considered a proposal for detailed zoning (detaljregulering) for Lofsrudveien 1 at Mortensrud. The recommendation to the City Council (bystyret) is clear: the mosque shall be permitted to be expanded to more than double its current area, from 800 to 2000 square metres of usable floor area.
The new extension is to be placed in two storeys above the existing parking basement, with the possibility of constructing up to a third storey, which is a roof superstructure. In addition, the plan allows for a tower on the existing stair tower to the north – described in the zoning provisions (reguleringsbestemmelsene) as “a stepped tower” in an “open, light metal structure with perforated metal cladding and glass”.
Here is an image of the current mosque at Mortensrud:
The current Søndre Nordstrand Muslimske Senter. Photo: Google Maps
23 remarks – several neighbours objected
During the public consultation (offentlig ettersyn) in the winter of 2023–2024, 23 remarks were submitted. Several neighbours in the Solåsen condominiums (sameiene) and Mortensrud Boligsameie referred to the City Council’s decision from 2008 that the building should have a “site-adapted design language and without religious symbols”. They opposed the tower, pointed out that the roof terrace will create noise and overlooking, and warned of traffic chaos in an already burdened area.
The police expressed concern that a doubling of the mosque will lead to a substantial increase in traffic and questioned the conclusions in the traffic report. Thon Eiendom was also critical and warned of increased pressure on the road system and parking.
The new mosque, according to the illustrations. Photo: Søndre Nordstrand Muslimske Senter
The tower shall not be used for the call to prayer – but this cannot be secured in the plan
The proposer (forslagsstiller) states that the tower shall not be used for the call to prayer (bønnerop), but shall function as an “eye-catcher and mark the building’s function”. However, the Agency for Planning and Building Services (Plan- og bygningsetaten) notes in its assessment that a prohibition of the call to prayer “cannot be secured in the plan”.
According to the case documents, the tower is placed 50–70 metres from the nearest residential buildings and is to be partially screened by vegetation.
No new parking spaces – the traffic is to be absorbed by bicycle and public transport
Despite the area being more than doubled, no new car parking spaces are proposed. The existing 33 spaces in the basement are retained. The City Government (byrådet) and the Agency for Planning and Building Services (Plan- og bygningsetaten) assume that increased traffic “shall be absorbed by walking, cycling and public transport”. A sequencing requirement (rekkefølgekrav) is imposed that Mortensrudveien and Lofsrudveien must be upgraded before a framework permit (rammetillatelse) can be granted.
Governing Mayor (byrådsleder) Eirik Lae Solberg (H) and the City Government (byrådet) support the recommendation of the Agency for Planning and Building Services (Plan- og bygningsetaten). In the City Government’s assessment it is stated that the new development “will be able to contribute positively to place development (stedsutviklingen) at Mortensrud, both as a meeting place and as part of the further urban development”.
The matter will proceed to the City Council (bystyret) for a final decision.
Photo: Søndre Nordstrand Muslimske Senter