Issa Brothers Face Backlash Over Plans for UK’s Largest Muslim Cemetery

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The billionaire Issa brothers are facing significant opposition following their renewed attempt to develop Britain’s largest Muslim cemetery in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire. The ambitious plan for a 45-acre Memorial Garden site has drawn criticism from local councillors and residents who fear the project will exacerbate road congestion, threaten wildlife, and pose environmental risks.

 

The proposed development includes 12,250 burial plots, a funeral parlour, and prayer halls, making it larger than the Gardens of Peace in east London, currently the UK’s biggest Muslim cemetery. This marks a scaled-back version of an earlier 85-acre proposal that was withdrawn earlier this year after strong local opposition. Despite the revisions, concerns about the project persist.

 

The cemetery plan is spearheaded by a charity established by Zuber and Mohsin Issa, who have become prominent figures in British business. Born to Indian immigrants, the brothers built their empire from a single petrol station in Bury, expanding it to nearly 6,000 branches. Their acquisitions include Asda, one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, as well as Cooplands and Leon. However, their latest venture has sparked unease in the local community.

 

Steve Smithson, a Conservative councillor, expressed strong reservations about the potential impact of the cemetery on local infrastructure. “Locals are deeply concerned about traffic safety on Blackburn Road,” he said, describing it as “the most dangerous road in Oswaldtwistle.” Highlighting the strain that increased traffic from daily funerals and large events could place on the area, he warned, “Numbers exceeding 400 during large events would strain the road network, heightening the risk of accidents and an increase to carbon emissions.”

 

Smithson also pointed to environmental risks, emphasizing the site’s geological features and high water table. He warned that burial activities could lead to groundwater contamination, potentially affecting nearby allotments, gardens, and local waterways. “Seasonal flooding further exacerbates these risks, with the lower fields frequently underwater for months,” he added.

 

While the Issa brothers’ proposal seeks to address a growing need for burial spaces in the Muslim community, it has reignited a debate over balancing community needs with environmental sustainability and local infrastructure capacity. Residents and councillors alike are urging local authorities to carefully weigh the potential consequences before making a decision. For now, the controversy surrounding the proposed cemetery underscores the challenges of large-scale developments in sensitive areas.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-12-17