Chalk And Cheese.
If you’ve read our latest statement on the Hamptons (here), you will be aware that Chelmsford City Council are considering in private whether the use of the Hamptons as a mosque does require planning permission. This is of course unfair to local residents and centre users, who have no right of participation (which is normally afforded in cases like this). We will not see the “evidence” that the Chelmsford Muslim Society have finally submitted (after a 6 month delay) or be allowed to comment on it. There will be no consulation with ward or parish councillors or other statuatory bodies like Essex County Highways.
So what exactly are the council Planning and Legal team examining ?
The presence of the European Hanmi Buddhist Association (who ran meditation classes) from 2014-2020 seems to be the basis for claims that a place of worship was an established use at the Hamptons. We have spoken to regular attendees, and dispute that these classes constitute an act of worship. As one user put it “I’m not a Buddhist, and I’ve never prayed to Buddha”. Numbers wise, we are led to believe that normally less than 5 people were present and used just a single room in the centre. The sessions were only held three times per week for two hours. This would of course cause no harm to the residental amenity in terms of noise and disturbance. And no parking issues.
Even if the classes are considered as worship , planning permission was never sought or granted.The classes do not meet the 10 year rule standard after which a change of use becomes established and regularised (and immune from enforcement).
Compare this to the proposed use we found in documents we obtained under the Freedom of Information Act which reveal that the CMS plan to use the Hamptons for five times daily prayer (for 10-15 users), Friday prayers (250-300 users) and three times a year for Eid prayers (500-1,000 users). That’s not just two small rooms, and would also require ritual washing facilties (eating up more rentable community space). If the main hall is carpeted for prayer, then it won’t be available to dance on.
Another issue will be the five daily prayers during the month of Ramadan, which attract a larger attendance and begin at 4.30am and end at 11pm. As most residents are aware, there is nothing in the way of public transport for the early and late prayers, meaning that the only option is to travel by car.
compare the Buddhist Meditation classes against a full blown mosque.
can you honestly say that the uses and impact on the residential amenity are residents are identical ?
In addition to the prayer element, you can add:-
Islamic education classes.
Women's prayer area
Space for ‘Youth development’
Funeral facilities
HOW much rentable community space will be left ?
The impact on the nearby residents will be devastating (and with just 98 spaces available) we will probably see a return to cars parking all over the grassed area which is a designated public open space, and blocking the access roads for emergency vehicles
The CMS originally claimed that the Hamptons would only be an “outreach” facility. If they just needed more prayer space, why did they not buy the empty premises next to their present mosque.
The real answer is that they wanted bigger and better.
If the council decide to allow permission for worship (without a formal grant of planning permission), there will be no restriction on the hours or numbers of attendees. The permission would apply to the whole centre, effectively giving the Chelmsford Muslim Society a free hand to convert the Hamptons to an Islamic Centre and Mosque (as they have adveristised all along in their fundraising pages).
