Controversy Erupts Over Issa Brothers’ Plans for UK’s Largest Muslim Cemetery
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Plans by billionaire Issa brothers Zuber and Mohsin to build the UK’s largest Muslim cemetery near Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, have sparked widespread opposition from local residents concerned about environmental and traffic impacts.
The proposed 45-acre Memorial Garden would feature 12,250 burial plots, a funeral parlour, prayer halls, and 356 parking spaces, making it larger than Britain’s current biggest Muslim cemetery, Gardens of Peace in East London, which has 10,000 plots on 21.5 acres. The cemetery would serve the surrounding Muslim community and be funded by the Issa Foundation, established by the brothers who own Asda, Cooplands, and Leon.
Residents and local leaders have strongly opposed the development, citing concerns over traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and potential groundwater contamination. A previous plan for an 84-acre cemetery with 35,000 burial plots, multiple pavilions, and 752 parking spaces was withdrawn earlier this year following intense backlash. The revised proposal significantly reduced the project’s scale but has failed to ease community fears.
Local Conservative councillor Steve Smithson described the potential impact on the area as “severe,” emphasizing risks related to increased traffic on Blackburn Road, labeled the “most dangerous road in Oswaldtwistle.”
“Increased traffic from daily funerals, especially during large gatherings exceeding 400 people, would put enormous pressure on our road network, raising the risk of accidents and boosting carbon emissions,” Cllr Smithson warned. “There’s also a high risk of groundwater contamination due to the site’s geology, potentially affecting local waterways, allotments, and gardens.”
Cllr Smithson, who leads the “Say No to the Cemetery” campaign, revealed that over 3,000 residents have subscribed to the group’s website, and 300 attended an in-person meeting about the project. The group has launched a GoFundMe page to hire legal and environmental experts to challenge the application, distributed leaflets, and placed banners throughout the town.
“We’re proud of our green belt land in Oswaldtwistle, and we are determined to protect it,” he asserted.
In response to the backlash, an Issa Foundation spokesperson emphasized that the cemetery would be a valuable community resource designed to meet a pressing need for burial space.
“Our charity is committed to supporting the communities we serve,” the spokesperson said. “We respect and value the feedback received from all stakeholders throughout this process. Based on public consultations earlier this year, we have significantly reduced and revised the scheme to address residents’ concerns.”
The revised application has been submitted to Hyndburn Borough Council and will be reviewed by the planning committee in the new year. The Issa Foundation expressed its readiness to collaborate with local authorities and the community to ensure the project is developed responsibly.
“We remain committed to transparency and thoroughness, working closely with professional advisers to balance community needs while respecting the environment,” the spokesperson added.
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