Plans for a controversial mosque housing up to 120 worshippers have been blocked by a single vote.

The proposal to build an Islamic centre on Russell Hill Place, Purley has divided the community with 225 letters of objection written to the council, and 214 in support.

Despite council planning officers recommending granting permission the plan was rejected by six votes to five at Croydon Council Planning Committee on Thursday March 8.

Usman Sadiq, a spokesman for the Purley Islamic Community, said: "Naturally it wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for. We followed the process, it didn’t go our way but we respect that is the system and rules and regulations must be followed. There are a number of opportunities available to us so we will be working out our next steps."

The plan would have seen the basement and ground floor of a former photographer’s studio, which has lain empty for two years, converted to a place of worship, as well as a community centre, education and learning centre, and a weekend literacy school.

Councillors pointed to concerns over ac cess to the site, parking and noise levels as reasons for rejecting the plan.

A spokesman for the council said: "The decision was made based on two factors.

"The proposal would be detrimental to highway safety by reason of likely higher levels of traffic generation and pedestrian movements combined with the difficult access arrangements to the adjacent car park.

"The proposal would be detrimental to the living conditions of adjoining residential occupiers by way of noise and general disturbance.

Mr Sadiq said the Muslim community has grown to about 100 families across the Purley area and is using St Mark’s Church, Church Road, Purley as a temporary place of worship.

He said this situation was set to continue until an alternative site was found.