The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has dismissed appeals on the refusal to grant planning permission for a mosque in London.

Three planning appeals on the proposed mosque in West Ham, East London, were rejected by the department which cited housing concerns.

The main appeal focused on the refusal of planning permission for a large new mosque.

A second sought temporary permission to use the existing buildings as a place of worship in the event that the main appeal was not allowed.

And a third was against an enforcement notice requiring the appellants to cease using the site as a place of worship.

A DCLG spokesman said: “The decision was based on concerns that include local housing provision and conflict with the council’s local plan for the borough.

“It also took account of the evidence from all parties and is in line with the council’s original determination and advice from the independent planning inspector on the main appeal.”

In the decision letter, the Secretary of State concluded that the site would lead to a loss of housing provision on a large important site and adversely impact on Newham council’s strategy to build 40,000 new homes by 2027.

The appellants now have three months to comply with the upheld enforcement notice.