A makeshift mosque is facing closure as councillors are advised to take legal steps to stop prayer meetings taking place.

The three-bedroomed house in Brighton Road, Horsham, is used by up to 80 Muslim worshippers at a time for Friday prayer meetings.

Horsham District Council planners say an enforcement notice should be slapped on the building for nine months to stop the meetings being held.

Breaching the notice would leave the building's owner, Faqir Mohammad, liable for prosecution.

In 2005 planners described the building as a "valuable community facility" and granted temporary permission to use the building for prayer meetings until January this year.

Now they are recommending a council committee should refuse an application to extend that permission when it meets tomorrow.

Their report cites rules designed to stop houses being changed to non-residential uses.

The planning officers' recommendation reads: "The continued use of the property for prayer meetings would result in the undesirable loss of a dwelling-house and cause additional parking, activity and general disturbance to the detriment of the amenities of nearby occupiers."

The number of people attending prayer meetings, particularly on days other than Fridays, has reportedly grown since permission was granted.

The worshippers using the building attempted to lease an office in Foundry Lane for use for prayers.

Permission was granted by the council, but the price of the lease was raised after the decision and the plans were shelved.

Mr Mohammad has applied for an extension to the period agreed in 2005.

The report says: "The council is aware of the applicant's investigation of other premises to meet their needs and there is ongoing dialogue with the council in this regard.

"At the current time, however, it is understood that a further suitable premises has not yet been identified and no further planning applications have been received."

The council received eight letters of objection to the plan to extend the permission.

Forest Neighbourhood Council commented: "We strongly believe that to use this residential dwelling for prayer meetings is both inappropriate and unsuitable."

Issues raised included safety concerns over the number of people gathering in the house, noise levels and parking pressure from people driving to attend prayers.

Ward councillor Godfrey Newman, who sits on the planning committee, said: "The issues are to do with the concerns of residents about parking and the number of people going to the prayer meetings.

"I know there have been attempts to find another place for them."

Mr Mohammad was unavailable for comment when The Argus attempted to contact him.