Police attend heated meeting over Leeds pub site

Police watched over a council planning meeting where emotions ran high over a proposal to create an Muslim-run community and welfare centre.

Officers attended plans panel north and east at Leeds City Council where members unanimously voted to give the go-ahead to convert the derelict Lingfield pub in Moortown.

Applicants UKIM, UK Islamic Mission, who bought the site, want to create a public gym, IT suite, library, training facilities. and a prayer room for up to 70 worshippers.

More than 400 letters of objection were received over traffic, congestion and noise concerns.

Many also expressed fears the centre would be used exclusively by the Islamic community.

The night before the planning meeting the words ‘a mosque’ were repeatedly daubed on the exterior of the forlorn building.

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