Plans to build a mosque in Keighley could be scuppered by objections from hundreds of nearby residents.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association fears the land will be sold before a decision is made on its planning application.

Without permission to build the £250,000 mosque, it dares not bid for the Bradford Council-owned plot in Braithwaite when it is auctioned next month.

The association's planning application will go before Bradford councillors only days before the auction and a decision may be delayed until a later meeting.

Around 500 residents of the Braithwaite and Guard House area have already signed a petition objecting to the two-storey building.

Householders believe meetings and worship at the mosque would lead to noise, and parked cars would cause traffic danger on West Lane. They also fear youngsters -- including rowdy gangs who congregate in nearby West Bank -- would target the building for vandalism.

The site of the proposed mosque was formerly occupied by three council houses, but these were demolished about five years ago following subsidence.

Keighley Town Council last week voted to oppose the application from the Ahmadiyya Association.

The town council itself is interested in buying the land for community use and members have suggested building a playground there.

Cllr Mick Westerman, who represents Braithwaite on the town council, said he was shocked to learn about the mosque.

He said he was particularly concerned because the land was left contaminated when the houses were knocked down.

He added: "I strongly support the residents -- the building is not in keeping with the area. The trees they are going to put up look like giant conifers."

Cllr Westerman said the stretch of West Lane near the site was very dangerous due to speeding cars coming around the bend.

Mujeeb Rahman, spokesman for the Ahmadiyya Association, said the building would be in keeping with the area and have its own car park.

The association has about 40 members in Keighley, most of whom live within walking distance of the planned mosque.

Mr Rahman said noise would be minimal because the association did not use external loudspeakers to call followers to prayers.

Mr Rahman added: "We need somewhere to pray and meet. We believe it will go a long way to improving what we do. We are a forward-looking community."