A Scrutiny Committee has concluded that councillors were not provided with sufficient information when making the decision to sell a Hindu temple site, the BBC has reported.
The Bharat Hindu Samaj (BHS) Temple, serving nearly 18,500 worshippers, has been located in Peterborough's New England Complex since 1986.
Peterborough City Council resolved to sell the asset as part of efforts to reduce debt, Cabinet selecting a preferred bidder for the land in December. The temple subsequently expressed concern that it had not been given the opportunity to acquire the site.
The council’s Scrutiny Committee has now requested that the decision be referred back to the Cabinet, citing concerns that members "did not have the full material information to make the decision."
Although the identity of the preferred bidder has not been disclosed, the committee further recommended that the Cabinet ensure no disposal takes place until the current tenant either secures alternative premises or retains their existing tenancy, with a timescale of six months.
No temple within 35-mile radius
Within a 35-mile radius of this facility, there is no temple, cultural and community centre for Hindus. Far more than a place of worship, BHS serves as a vital community hub—supporting people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds through services that promote wellbeing, social cohesion, and civic engagement, while significantly reducing pressure on public services. Through their outreach programmes, food distribution, elderly support, youth engagement, interfaith work, and cultural events, BHS delivers measurable social value. Independent estimates show its activities save £3.5-£4 million in public service costs every five years— far exceeding the site’s market value.
Not only just from Peterborough, but Hindus from Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Leicestershire also use this temple. BHS has been fundraising for years to buy the site and have negotiated with the council since 2011.
In a statement, Kishore Ladwa of BHS told Asian Voice, “For over 14 years, the BHS community engaged constructively and in good faith with Peterborough City Council to secure the future of the premises it has occupied and maintained. During this time, generations of volunteers have complied with every request made by the Council, often at significant emotional and financial cost.
“But in recent months, the process has become increasingly concerning. The community was given extremely tight bid submission timelines, without being provided adequate or complete material to enable a genuinely competitive or informed submission. Despite this, BHS had submitted a bid exactly as requested and within the required timeframe, believing it was engaging in a fair and transparent process.”
He added that their confidence was undermined when key decisions were unexpectedly brought forward to Cabinet, limiting meaningful engagement and scrutiny. "The Cabinet decision itself was taken, in the community’s view, without full or accurate information, including clear assessment of social value and community impact,” he told us.
A long-standing member at the same time told the newsweekly, “Negotiating for 14 years is not a joke. Some of the people who started this journey are no longer with us. To reach this point without fair consideration is heartbreaking.”
17-year-old Samyu said, “This community has been part of my life since birth. I’ve grown up here, performed here, celebrated every milestone here. Losing it would be devastating.”
Minaben, a senior lunch club member, added, “This centre is where we share our joys and sorrows. It is our heart. Taking it away would be unjust.”
Temple Priest, Dharmesh Pandaya told Asian Voice, “Through sacred Pran Pratishtha, this Mandir became a living spiritual presence. It cannot be treated merely as property. Losing it would break thousands of hearts.”
Community supports intervention
BHS has been deeply concerned that proper processes were not followed in assessing the bid and its wider implications and is seeking a fair chance.
Kishore said, “This includes the apparent absence of a formal Equality Impact Assessment, concerns around the accuracy of social value calculations, and a lack of proportional consideration for the cultural, religious, and community significance of the site. These concerns were significant enough that a call-in by a small number of councillors was successfully made, reflecting wider unease about how the decision was reached and the information upon which it was based.”
In December 2025, Mohammed Jamil, Labour's finance Cabinet member, apparently stated that the sale resulted from a competitive bidding process. After evaluating two bids, officials recommended accepting the one deemed best value, the BBC reported.
However, Independent Councillor Roger Antunes, who is among those requesting additional examination of the decision reportedly explained that terms had been reached with the Hindu community and were scheduled for Cabinet review last summer. He said they were apparently assured their bid would be approved.
He told the BBC, “It was then rescinded, and an open-market best offer provided. That is unacceptable; the negotiated process should have been followed,” and added that the community was only given a month "to put a bid together from a standing start".
Cllr Antunes said, "One of the key concerns here is that in Peterborough, within a 35-mile radius of this facility, there are circa 390 churches, circa 25-30 mosques or Muslim community centres. There is only one Hindu consecrated temple and community centre. Not once has that been identified within the evaluation."
Liberal Democrat Chair Polly Geragthy also reportedly questioned whether all necessary information had been provided, stating that some important details were missing and should be given to the Cabinet before they make a final decision.
The Scrutiny Committee has now requested that the Cabinet undertake a review of the decision.
Applauding the decision of the Scrutiny Committee, Ladwa added, “While the community welcomes this intervention and the role of scrutiny, there remains a serious concern that the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee may not be fully upheld by Cabinet, and that the Council could move rapidly toward reaffirming the same decision without adequately addressing the issues raised. Such an outcome would further damage trust and confidence in the process.
“After years of patience, compliance, and goodwill, many within the Indian and wider Hindu community now feel deeply disappointed and betrayed.”
He further said, “If this centre is lost, Peterborough risks losing decades of contribution that strengthened cohesion, inclusion, and civic pride across all communities. Bharat Hindu Samaj remains committed to dialogue, transparency, and lawful engagement. The community is not seeking conflict—it is seeking fairness, proper process, and recognition of its contribution.
“The hope remains that Peterborough City Council will reflect carefully, uphold the principles of equality and inclusion it espouses, and work collaboratively with the community to secure a just and sustainable outcome.”
