WORK on erecting a 90ft steel tower next to a mosque in the middle of the Brick Lane conservation area in London’s East End begins this week. The structure resembling the shape of a minaret is being erected inches from the wall of the Jamaal mosque, a converted synagogue founded originally as an 18th century Huguenot church

By Mike Brooke

WORK begins this week on erecting a giant 90ft iconic’ steel tower next to a mosque in the middle of the Brick Lane conservation area in London’s East End.

The structure which will resemble the shape of a minaret is being erected inches from the wall of the Jamme Masjid mosque, a converted former synagogue founded originally as an 18th century Huguenot church, after planning permission was given by Tower Hamlets council.

Council Leader Lutfur Rahman visited the site last week when the base was completed, where he met Muslim community leaders.

The steel structure will dominate the skyline of the Georgian conservation area around Spitalfields, the historic Huguenot weaving district, and is being billed by the Town Hall as “a new iconic East End landmark.”

The seven sections of the tower are being fitted together and erected during the week.

The local authority also intends to erect new arches along Brick Lane, all paid for by �8.6 million planning gain’ cash from the nearby Bishops Square development on the City Fringe’ near Liverpool Street station.

“It’s important developers give something back to the community,” said Cllr Rahman. “The council planning team makes sure their contributions offset the disruption and additional pressures their developments place on our services.”

The cash from Bishops Square, one of the largest single payments from a developer ever received by a local authority, is also paying for open spaces on the nearby Chicksand and Holland housing estates and a new building for Osmani youth centre.