The Al-Huda Islamic Centre, an Islamic cultural and educational centre in Chadwell Heath has applied to increase the number of people permitted at the centre.
The Islamic Centre, which was a former police station on Wangey Road, has applied to increase the capacity from 60 (a figure originally agreed by the council) to 150 people during Eid, despite residents' concerns regarding traffic.
The residents who live near to the Al-Huda centre have expressed their concerns several types regarding parking and traffic last year, before Redbridge Council approved the planning application.
A resident of Cedar Park Gardens, Natalie Powell expressed that the site was “highly inappropriate” and that there would be an “adverse effect on the residents of Cedar Park Gardens.”
She further stated, “I strongly argue that an additional Islamic centre will only add to this struggle and the police station is not the best location for it.”
The Islamic centre was granted permission in 2014, subject to several conditions. The condition included that no more than 60 people should be allowed on the premises. According to the council, the reason for this condition was to prevent the building from causing “undue disturbance” to the residents at “unreasonable hours of the day.” However, the centre has now applied to increase the capacity.
Chadwell Ward Councillor, Aziz Choudhury very openly supported the centre's application last year. He said, “I am supportive of the organisation and particularly it’s empowerment of women. I will wait to see the planning officer’s full report.”
