£12m Hindu temple for Northampton
Plans have been revealed for a £12m Hindu temple which could be built in Northampton.
The Indian Hindi Welfare Association wants to build the centre on a four-acre plot of land off Lings Way, Lumbertubs.
The building, which has been described by the association as 'spectacular', would feature a temple with a pyramid roof.
There would also be a day-care centre for the elderly, a housing complex for people aged over 55 and a sports complex inside the new facility.
Northampton Borough Council has given the association a 125-year lease for the land and Northamptonshire County Council has also given the scheme a grant of 58,000.
Association chairman Neelam Aggarwal said: "We're ecstatic about receiving the rights to the land as well as the funding to help progress our planning application.
"This shows both councils' support for our project and highlights the importance of what we're trying to achieve, which is to build a centre that helps provide great opportunities to lots of people and a place that will help bring together many different communities.
"Our aim is to put Northampton on the map and show that great things can be achieved if you put your mind to it."
The complex would be known as the Northampton Kutumbh, which means 'wider family'.
The association has said it would be open to everyone and include a library, computer suite, creche and arts facilities. The leader of Northampton Borough Council, Councillor Tony Woods (Lib Dem, St Davids) said the development would create a new landmark for the town.
He said: "By offering exciting social, leisure and enterprise opportunities, the Northampton Kutumbh Centre will help energise this part of town, provide a range of community facilities for all local people and create a memorable landmark building for Northampton."
In a bid to raise 100,000 towards the building cost of the temple, the association will host a special ceremony, known as Bhoomi Pujan, on the site on October 19.
The association hopes building work could start as soon as 2010.
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