"We would be interested to know who the group behind this leaflet is. It is not clear why there is no imprint, name or organisation on the leaflet."
Source/Credit: Wales Online
By Thomas Deacon | October 27, 2016
Anonymous leaflets protesting against plans to build a new mosque in Canton have been posted through residents’ letterboxes.
The leaflet claims the development of a mosque on Sanatorium Road would cause traffic and parking problems – and that the community had not been consulted by Cardiff council.
Published on September 12, the planning application which is the subject of the notice is for a two-story mosque with a minaret and dome, an attached two-story imam’s residence and a single-story community centre – all on a 0.15-hectare (0.37-acre) site.
Made by Mr Khan through the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, the planning application states that the hours of opening would be from 4am to 11pm, seven days a week.
Cardiff council leader Phil Bale at One Central SquareCardiff council leader Phil Bale
The leaflet claims Cardiff council leader Phil Bale approved the development without taking into consideration a petition signed by more than 200 residents and that there had been no prior consultation.
Claims are 'entirely false'
But Coun Bale said: “We have no idea who printed or distributed this leaflet, but I want to make it absolutely clear that any decision on this application is a matter for the planning committee. I’ve had no involvement so claims in the leaflet are entirely false.”
A letter objecting to the setting up of a Mosque on Sanatorium Road, CardiffThe leaflet objecting to the setting up of a Mosque on Sanatorium Road
One public objection, made by Kay Rowe, said: “A combined worry of more traffic, more people, more noise will severely impact on the quality of life in the area as a whole.
“It will have a massive effect on what is a peaceful and quiet residential area.
“This proposed alteration will make what is an already busy area an unbearable burden to us.”
But vice coordinator of the youth association of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Cardiff Chapter, Kaleem Ahmad, has moved to reassure some of those who have raised planning concerns over the proposal.
“In regard to parking, there are only around 150 people, including children and babies, that are part of our Ahmadiyya Islamic sect and most people pray after the sun has set which normally is not the same time as rush hour,” he said.
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“The reason we are building the mosque is that our beliefs are slightly different to others in Islam, and some do not agree with us so we need a separate space to pray and educate.”
He added: “There is a lack of education when it comes to Islam, which itself means peace. We are hear for peace and love, and we help support charities from the poppy appeal to Save the Children.”
A Hope not Hate Cardiff spokesman said: “We would be interested to know who the group behind this leaflet is. It is not clear why there is no imprint, name or organisation on the leaflet.
“Some people might have legitimate concerns and these should be addressed positively and constructively. However, we should be careful to distinguish between this and a more malicious anti-Islam narrative.”
A Cardiff council spokesman also emphasised that no decision had yet been taken on whether to grant the mosque planning permission.
“The leader of the council cannot make a decision for or against any planning application,” he said.
Planning committee will consider matter in usual way
“Planning committees are non-political bodies with decisions made on strictly planning grounds.
“Planning decisions on individual applications such as this are made either by the planning committee, or by officers under their powers to take decisions delegated to them.
“Planning legislation requires there to be a public consultation period for all applications.
“This application will be decided by the council’s planning committee on a date to be determined once all material matters and issues raised through consultation are fully assessed.”
The statutory 21-day public consultation period expired on October 27, but comments can still be accepted before the planning report is taken to the planning committee.
A previous planning application for a mosque on the site was refused in February this year
Read original post here: UK: Anonymous leaflets posted against new mosque plans in Cardiff
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