The billionaire Issa brothers are facing strong opposition from local residents over their plans to build the UK’s largest Muslim cemetery, with many fearing it will damage the landscape.

More than 1,000 objections have been submitted against the proposed burial site, according to a local Conservative councillor, with concerns primarily focused on its impact on green belt land.

Mohsin and Zuber Issa plan to create 13,500 burial plots across 18.5 hectares in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire—a town with just 10,815 residents.

Campaigners argue that the cemetery, which would include a funeral parlour and prayer halls, is "unacceptable" due to its potential to ruin the landscape and increase flood risks. They are urging the local council to reject the plan, which is being funded by the Issa Foundation.

Zak Khan, a Conservative councillor supporting the Say No To The Cemetery campaign, accused the Issa brothers of prioritizing their own ambitions over the interests of local people.

He said: “Over 1,000 objections have already been lodged, and more keep coming in.

“This cemetery is not suitable for the area and is causing division in the community. The Issa brothers are damaging their own reputation by trying to impose developments on local communities that want to preserve their identity.”

Concerns have also been raised about a 400-space car park planned for the site, with campaigners warning it could increase traffic and harm the visual appeal of the green belt.

This project is the latest in a series of developments by the Issa brothers in Lancashire, including a mosque with 95ft minarets and a £3m dental clinic.

It also marks a revival of an earlier proposal for an 85-acre cemetery at the same location, which was previously withdrawn.

Mr. Khan added: “This is one of the last remaining green spaces, and the Issa brothers have already built large units nearby. Why do they keep targeting this community? There are plenty of alternative locations for this project.

“They are ignoring the concerns of local residents and pretending that this is what people want. If the opposition is so strong, why insist on building it here?”

The Issa brothers, originally from Blackburn, have built a multibillion-pound fortune over two decades, largely through their petrol forecourt business, which started in Bury in 2001. Their wealth expanded significantly with the £6.8bn debt-funded takeover of Asda in 2021 alongside private equity firm TDR Capital.

However, their ownership of Asda has been fraught with challenges, leading to Zuber Issa selling his stake last year and launching a separate petrol forecourts business. Mohsin Issa, meanwhile, remains a minority shareholder in Asda but stepped down from operational duties in 2023.

Responding to the controversy, Irfan Ali from the Issa Foundation stated: “Our charity is committed to serving communities, and we believe the proposed cemetery in Accrington is a crucial community asset that addresses an important need while enhancing the space.

“We have listened to feedback from all stakeholders and made significant changes to the original plan, reducing the project’s scale based on public consultation. The revised planning application has now been submitted for council review and approval.”