Decision on Islamic centre challenged

THE charity behind a proposed Islamic community centre that was recently rejected has appealed against the decision.

Charity The Rawdhah Academy, which is currently based in Berkhampstead Road, Chesham and teaches about 50 children Islamic and extra curricular studies, put in a planning application to turn Brae House, in Cameron Road, into an Islamic Culture and Education Community Centre, but this was rejected by Chiltern District Council’s planning committee after the case officer recommended refusal because of parking and road safety issues.

The application received 51 letters of objection for reasons including an increase in traffic, inadequate parking facilities, noise concerns and a loss of privacy, with 16 letters of support.

Simon Colledge, of Cameron Road, said: “The good news is the letters people sent in previously also go into this one.

“We’re hoping for the same outcome as before that it’ll be declined and that’s the end of it. Nothing’s changed, it’s not in a different location.”

Councillor for the area Mark Shaw said: “I’ll be working closely with the residents who’ve expressed deep concern about the potential road safety issues and we’ll be putting forward plans and making further comments about parking and road and people safety to the planning inspectorate.

“There’s just no safe place to park cars, there’s double yellow lines, it’s a busy and narrow road and there’s two schools

“There needs to be some common sense.”

The Rawdhah Academy was not available for comment at the time of going to press.

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