08 December 2017

Debate over plan for Muslim prayer room and education centre in Belgrave

Controversial plans to convert a vacant warehouse in Belgrave into a prayer facility, nursery and education centre are set to be rejected.

Fusion Consulting Ltd has applied for planning permission to change the use of the industrial building in Belper Street.

The proposal has led to a huge number of objections being sent to planning officers at Leicester City Council.

More than 1,435 letters of objection have been sent to officials, as well as petitions with a total of 3,569 names.

Some 350 representations have been made in support of the plan to establish the Belper Education Centre, as it would be called.

Many of the concerns sent to the council point out that the area is largely made up of Hindu families and the proposed centre would be a Muslim organisation.

Other concerns relate to potential disturbance from early morning activity in the street, and parking problems and traffic congestion that would be generated by worshippers and other users of the centre. [The Leicester Mercury] Read more