Muslim centre plans thrown out

Protests against the Muslim Centre being built staged in February

GRANTHAM Muslim Community Association has been told it cannot build its controversial Islamic Centre, on Mowbeck Way.

The futurist building which would have incorporated a prayer hall, would have been the most modern design and energy efficient building in the town.

It was planned to be on land behind the CCTV centre, off Alexandra Road.

Plans were submitted in December last, but in March, South Kesteven planners asked the association to withdraw their plans

Head of development and growth at the council, Mark Willets, said: “It’s quite clear the application was made describing the building as a community centre but a recent travel plan received last month is talking about a place of worship and these are very different things in planning terms.

“Reason two is a technical reason – it will be made invalid. “Technically, the red edge of the application site, while it abuts a highway, it does not abut an adopted highway.

“So, Lincolnshire County Council has directed that we should make the application invalid on that basis.”

On Friday, the application was formally refused by the planners.

The application, originally made just before last Christmas, led to a protest march through the town by the English Defence League (EDL) in February,  as well as a counter-protest.