AN illegal mosque is still operating despite Southend Council ordering its closure.

Frustrated residents claim although the Islamic group have been told to move out of the bungalow in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff , up to 200 people a day are still descending on the property for religious celebrations and education classes.

In July the Echo revealed the council had moved against the Jaafriya Islamic Welfare Centre following 150 complaints from angry neighbours about cars parking on the pavement, litter bags lining the street and late-night noise.

An enforcement notice was served on the premises, but it appears to have been ignored.

One resident, who lives on the corner of Fairfax Drive and Hainault Avenue, said people are still regularly entering the building through a side gate.

He added: “They are being a bit more discreet and more people are getting dropped off now rather than parking, but when I came home at 10pm the other night, I still ended up having to stop on double yellow lines because they had taken up the rest of the road.”

As well as failing to apply for change of use permission, the owners of the site also built an extension without planning consent in December 2010.

After the enforcement notice was issued they submitted a retrospective planning application.

This was refused by Southend Council due to the need for residential properties in the area, the detrimental effect on the neighbourhood, lack of parking provision and the size and poor design of the extension.

Southend Council yesterday revealed the group launched an appeal against the enforcement order, but lost their case after failing to submit important documents on time.

Regulations state that legal action can not be taken against them until February 6, six months after a final decision was made.

A council spokesperson said: “The council has been in negotiations with the people involved with the Jaafriya Islamic Welfare Centre to try and suggest alternative suitable locations.”