A mosque will be allowed to extend its opening hours despite concerns from a councillor over the police getting involved in alleged "infringements". It was concluded there wasn't sufficient evidence to prohibit the popular community mosque from opening its doors earlier in the mornings and closing later in the evenings.
The Muslim Cultural Centre, in Radford Bridge Road to the west of Wollaton, typically opened from 9am until 9pm each day. Temporary planning permission, lasting for a year, was granted in April 2021 to extend these hours to allow it to extend opening hours between 6.30am and 9am and 9pm and 11pm.
A proposal to open as early as 4am in the summer months was withdrawn. The mosque however applied to make these new opening hours permanent and the proposals were discussed during a planning meeting at Loxley House on April 20.
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There had been eight objections, including a petition which received 71 signatures. Some residents in the area had raised concerns over noise and two complaints were made last year.
On the other hand there had also been seven letters of support, including a petition from those who use the service which was signed by 151 people who supported the plans. Monitoring by Nottingham City Council officers found no evidence to suggest the application should not be supported.
Planning officers added between October and February this year an average of only five people attended each morning. Vice-chairman of the committee and Aspley ward councillor, Graham Chapman, said: "It is a very difficult one. This has been going on for two to three years.
"My view is there have been some infringements. On the other hand I don't think evidence is there to suggest the evidence is there to say the infringements were large enough for us to make a decision other than to go along with the officers' recommendation.
"If we do agree this then what sanctions are there if the problems reassert themselves in a substantial way?" Kevin Clarke, leader of the opposition, the Clifton Independents, and Clifton East councillor, said he had seen pictures depicting police action. The pictures were submitted to planning officers for review and he said a number of residents had complained about the alleged infringements.
He therefore suggested another trial year for fears some residents would feel as "if we weren't listening to them". Councillor Clarke said there had been two occasions where the police were allegedly involved.
One incident was alleged to have happened on May 17, 2021, when the country entered step 3 of the route out of lockdown. However it was deemed the evidence was "not substantial" and did not show "excessive activity". Another picture submitted to the committee depicted 20 vehicles in the car park, when only 15 attendees were permitted, but council officers said the evidence was not conclusive and it was taken at 9.20am - well within opening hours.
May 17 last year marked step three of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown. It meant indoor hospitality businesses could reopen and the likes of cinemas, museums and children's play areas.
Up to six people, or two households, were then able to meet indoors and up to 30 people outside. Face coverings were no longer needed in classrooms or for students in communal areas. Remaining outdoor entertainment businesses could reopen - with some larger events able to take place such as conferences, theatre and concert performances.
Pavlos Kotsonis, who represents Lenton and Wollaton East for Labour, spoke out in support of the extended hours and said: "We have on one day, one occurrence, there were many [in the car park]. We have twice the police being called on-site.
"It doesn't mean naturally it brings us to the conclusion that there is a consistent occurrence of these things. I have looked at this and we simply cannot reject it on planning grounds."
Councillor Gul Khan, for the Dales ward for Labour, also spoke out in support. He added: "It has been running since 2011 and I have never seen or heard of anything."
When put to a vote only councillor Clarke objected to the plans. Permission to extend the opening hours was therefore granted.
Dr Musharraf Hussain, an Islamic scholar and chief executive of the Karimia Institute in Nottingham, responded to the concerns. He said: "I think it did dawn on neighbours and councillors that for 11 years we have been serving this community.
"We are happy with the result. You need centres where you can come, but you cannot have them in the countryside. We want children and the elderly to come, how are they to get there otherwise? It is about compromising a bit.
"We have tried to appease people and be nice to people and our users are very, very kind."
