Muslim community centre plan turned down
Plans to turn an old factory in Northampton into a Muslim community centre have been rejected by the body charged with overseeing the development of the town.
The Al-Iman Society, which represents the town's East African community, had made the application to turn a former shoe factory on the corner of Cowper Street and Shakespeare Street, in The Mounts, into the centre.
The application had previously been recommended for refusal and residents nearby had circulated a petition objecting to the plans.
At a meeting of the West Northamptonshire Development Committee (WNDC) this week the application was turned down.
John Weir, WNDC's Deputy Chairman and member of Northampton Area Planning Committee, said: "WNDC fully understands the need for new community centres but on this occasion the location is not suitable for the proposed use. The general noise and disruption from the proposed use would have an unacceptable impact on the surrounding area.
"Secondly, Cowper Street and the surrounding roads do not have sufficient parking for current residents and therefore have no capacity for extra cars."
Ahmed Ali, secretary of the Al-Iman Society, said the group respected the committee's decision but was disappointed, and will be having a meeting to decide its next step.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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