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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Mosque plan thrown out by council | Mosque plan thrown out by council |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Controversial plans to build a mosque in Camberley have been thrown out by councillors at a heated meeting. | Controversial plans to build a mosque in Camberley have been thrown out by councillors at a heated meeting. |
| The local Bengali Association's bid to knock down a listed building and build a domed mosque was rejected by Surrey Heath Borough Council. | The local Bengali Association's bid to knock down a listed building and build a domed mosque was rejected by Surrey Heath Borough Council. |
| Local historians and residents had argued the town's heritage must be protected and opposed the plans. | Local historians and residents had argued the town's heritage must be protected and opposed the plans. |
| Abdul Mojid, who chairs the association, said they would consider whether to appeal against the decision. | Abdul Mojid, who chairs the association, said they would consider whether to appeal against the decision. |
| More than 350 people packed into Camberley Theatre in Knoll Road, with some residents queuing from 0900 GMT for a ticket. | More than 350 people packed into Camberley Theatre in Knoll Road, with some residents queuing from 0900 GMT for a ticket. |
| The plan involved knocking down the listed Victorian school building in London Road, which is about half a mile from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. | The plan involved knocking down the listed Victorian school building in London Road, which is about half a mile from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. |
| It was originally home to Yorktown Infants and Primary schools, before later becoming St Gregory's Roman Catholic school. | It was originally home to Yorktown Infants and Primary schools, before later becoming St Gregory's Roman Catholic school. |
| When the school closed, the building was sold to the Berkshire, Hampshire & Surrey Bengali Welfare Association (BWA) which has been using it as an Islamic centre since 1996. | When the school closed, the building was sold to the Berkshire, Hampshire & Surrey Bengali Welfare Association (BWA) which has been using it as an Islamic centre since 1996. |
| The association argued that the building no longer met the needs of the growing local Muslim community, and people wanted to worship in a mosque and not in a school. | The association argued that the building no longer met the needs of the growing local Muslim community, and people wanted to worship in a mosque and not in a school. |
| The plans had been approved by the council's planning committee earlier this year, but overturned on a technicality. | The plans had been approved by the council's planning committee earlier this year, but overturned on a technicality. |
| The school building has been used as an Islamic centre since 1996 | The school building has been used as an Islamic centre since 1996 |
| Nahrni Choudhury, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of the BWA, accused some of the campaigners of racism. | Nahrni Choudhury, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of the BWA, accused some of the campaigners of racism. |
| Speaking after the meeting, she said: "I am upset. It's not just about what the buildings will be. | Speaking after the meeting, she said: "I am upset. It's not just about what the buildings will be. |
| "It's about the fact that we are Muslims and we are an ethnic minority and they don't want to see a mosque here." | "It's about the fact that we are Muslims and we are an ethnic minority and they don't want to see a mosque here." |
| Conservative council leader Moira Gibson admitted there were "a few racist elements" but said said she did not think the campaign was fuelled by Islamophobia. | Conservative council leader Moira Gibson admitted there were "a few racist elements" but said said she did not think the campaign was fuelled by Islamophobia. |
| She said: "Genuinely, people did feel strongly about the conservation area. | She said: "Genuinely, people did feel strongly about the conservation area. |
| "It's about being progressive but actually preserving part of the history of Surrey Heath and Camberley." | "It's about being progressive but actually preserving part of the history of Surrey Heath and Camberley." |
| Nigel Farage, the UK Independence Party MEP for the South East, said it was "the right result for the people of Camberley". | Nigel Farage, the UK Independence Party MEP for the South East, said it was "the right result for the people of Camberley". |
| "This was never about religion, but about the fair and just process that applies to everyone no matter what faith or belief," he said. | "This was never about religion, but about the fair and just process that applies to everyone no matter what faith or belief," he said. |
| Sally Garland, a member of the Save Our School campaign, said residents wanted to work alongside the BWA to help them use the existing building. | Sally Garland, a member of the Save Our School campaign, said residents wanted to work alongside the BWA to help them use the existing building. |
| The local Bengali Association wanted to knock down a listed building and build a domed mosque |