Labour-run Sunderland Council approves new mosque, ignores hundreds of local protestors
Sunderland’s Labour Council has approved plans for a new mosque despite huge public opposition to its construction.
The
conversion of a transport depot on St Mark’s Road, Millfield, into a
mosque attracted 671 letters of objection and a 1,462-signature
petition, as well as large street demonstrations.
But
that was all ignored by councillors, who gave the proposals the
go-ahead at a meeting in the civic centre, eliciting cries of outrage
from more than 20 objectors in the public gallery.
The plans involve the demolition of single-storey offices, the erection of parapet walls and two brick-faced domed columns.
Some
neighbours, who also spoke at the meeting, objected because they
believed the development would result in an increase in noise and
traffic.
But Labour Council leader Paul Watson brushed aside residents’ concerns, saying: ‘We need to decide on the facts that are presented to us, not about what may or may not happen or the fears people have.’
The application, which was submitted by the Pakistan Islamic Centre, attracted hundreds of complaints on the Council’s website.
There
is already a 345-capacity mosque (Sunderland Masjid) in Millfield, and
another 195-capacity mosque (Masjid ibn Taymeeyah) close by on Chester
Road.
