Laran Wands hears why the controversial planning application was refused
On Wednesday 5th December thousands of Muslims gathered outside Newham Town Hall to hear the council’s final decision on plans to build a ‘super-mosque’ in the vicinity of the Olympic Park. Councillors on the planning committee came out against the plans, and the supporters outside dispersed feeling ‘let down’.
The group behind plans for the mosque, which could have held up to 10,000 worshippers, is called Tablighi Jamaat. This group has been trying to get planning approval for more than 10 years, on the grounds that the 90,000 Muslim residents of Newham require a mosque large enough for ‘bigger worship’.
Councillor Conor McAuley, who voted against the plans, explained the council’s reservations. He said the site was intended for mixed commercial and residential use. The proposed use as a large mosque would not have provided any jobs or homes for the local community, and ‘that really wasn’t good enough’.
Speaking on BBC News, Mr McAuley claimed that Tablighi Jamaat was leaning towards isolationism, whereas he hoped that local Muslims would continue to be more integrated with Newham’s multicultural community.
After the council’s veto was announced, the English Defence League leaped into the fray, commenting on Facebook: ‘At last sense in the planning system! Well done to all that opposed this, we salute you.’
I suppose it had to happen: any group with anti-Islamic leanings was bound to twist the council’s veto to their own way of thinking. Without endorsing such sentiments, nonetheless I agree with Cllr McAuley that all residents in East London should support one another and that the building of this mosque would have alienated many residents from a space that could be used for all.
Whilst everyone has the right to freedom of speech, I deplore any opposition that was anti-Islamic in nature. In this particular situation, however, the council’s reasons for rejecting the proposals seem reasonable and valid. East London is in the midst of regeneration and encompasses many different races and cultural backgrounds, religious and secular alike. Newham already has its fair share of temples, churches and mosques, so I’m not convinced that adding another one on a scale such as this, is justified. What we do need is places to work, live, eat and come together as a community.
While I appreciate that the council’s decision came as a disappointment to many, I think that ultimately it was the right one.