Planning officers said the change of use from a business building to a non-residential institution, was only approved because of the particular circumstances of this application.
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| File photo: Ahmadi Muslim youth of Cardiff start fundraiser for Poppy Appeal |
Source/Credit: Wales Online
By Ruth Mosalski | March 11, 2015
A former business in Cardiff will be turned into a learning centre for the Muslim community.
The old Ian Williams Ltd building on Sanatorium Road in Canton has been given permission to be turned into a learning centre for the city’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
The community has around 144 members in the city, but their members cannot offer prayers in any other mosque due to doctrinal differences.
81 objections
Cardiff council’s planning committee were told that around 30 people are expected to use the building for prayers, meetings, education, training and gatherings.
Prayers will take place five times daily but there will be no public address system for a call to prayer.
A petition of 81 names was submitted objecting to the proposals.
There were also objections from The Hollies Day Nursery, Provincial Printing and Publishing, occupiers of a property on Santatorium Road and an unaddressed email.
They raised concerns about parking, congestion and extra pressure being put on local roads.
There were also letters of support from Park Inn by Radisson, St Thomas’ Church Hall and a former priest from the Archdiocese of Cardiff.
Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association had also written to add their support.
The building, made up of empty officers and workshops, has been empty since June 2014.
18-month search for premises
Planning officers said the change of use from a business building to a non-residential institution, was only approved because of the particular circumstances of this application.
One of those reasons was that the community have been looking for suitable premises for 18 months.
Another reason listed is that there is an estimated 1.5m sq ft of office space currently available in Cardiff and “secondary grade” offices which are not refurbished are finding it difficult to find occupiers.
“The change of use of the subject premises at Sanatorium Road is not considered to have a significant effect on the quality, range and choice of employment sites within Cardiff,” the report reads.
The report adds that there is “little appetite” for businesses to relocate to this location.
It was recommended planning permission be granted. The planning committee also approved the plans.
Read original post here: UK: Islamic learning centre plans for former offices in Canton, Cardiff, are given the go-ahead
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