The proposed location of Britain's largest Muslim cemetery has sparked fierce opposition from local residents. With 12,250 grave plots, a funeral parlor and prayer hall, the proposed 45-acre memorial garden site is vast, as shown in the overhead photo.

The billionaire Issa brothers have submitted the cemetery proposal for the property at Oswaldtwistle, west of Blackburn, Lancashire, which has a population of only 10,815 people.It would surpass the Gardens of Peace, a Muslim cemetery in east London with 10,000 plots spread across 21.5 acres, which is currently the largest in Britain. Funded by siblings Zuber and Mohsin Issa, who control Asda, Cooplands, and Leon, the new cemetery has drawn opposition from thousands of locals. Concerns about traffic and wildlife on Greenland, the site of the cemetery, are cited. An earlier application to construct an 85-acre cemetery on the property was withdrawn earlier this year and replaced with a smaller one after people strongly objected.The brothers originally proposed to build 35,000 burial plots, prayer pavilions and caretaker accommodation and 752 car parking spaces on 84 acres of land.

They scaled back plans after a backlash to 12,250 burial plots, a single pavilion complex of funeral parlour, prayer halls, condolence rooms and ablutions facilities, and 356 parking spaces.