Muslims seek proper worship site

Muslims have been warned their application could be refused

Muslims in Canterbury are appealing to the council to allow them to convert a house into a permanent place of worship.

It is their fifth planning application to the city council to develop the house into a community centre.

They bought the property near the university six years ago, but have been told it is unsuitable for conversion.

As a result, nearly 100 Muslims have been forced to use a nearby hall in Canterbury.

Raschid Sohawon, of the Canterbury Muslim Cultural Centre, said the property in Giles Lane, Blean, which was bought for £170,000, was "an essential need for us to have a place that's somewhere to belong to".

The city council's planning officers do not believe this is the right location for such a centre Canterbury City Council

He said: "It would not only be a place for the Muslims but also a resource centre where all communities can come and learn."

But Canterbury City Council said it had received objections about the traffic and disturbance the community centre would cause for residents.

In a statement, it said: "While we are sympathetic to the wishes and desires of the applicant and Muslim community, the city council's planning officers do not believe this is the right location for such a centre, being surrounded on three sides by houses.

Letters of objection

"A likely figure of 100 people attending prayer meetings, and the inclusion of a creche facility, could generate a significant amount of traffic and disturbance to local residents.

"A number of letters of objection have been received in this respect.

"However we would encourage the applicants to work with us to try to find a more suitable site."

The council has warned the Muslims their application has been recommended for refusal at Monday evening's meeting.