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| Bradford Sikhs fight Pakeezah meat plant plans | Bradford Sikhs fight Pakeezah meat plant plans |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Members of a Sikh community in Bradford have applied for a judicial review to challenge plans for a halal meat plant next door to their local temple. | Members of a Sikh community in Bradford have applied for a judicial review to challenge plans for a halal meat plant next door to their local temple. |
| Bradford council planners approved a new meat processing plant at food firm Pakeezah on Leeds Road in August. | Bradford council planners approved a new meat processing plant at food firm Pakeezah on Leeds Road in August. |
| But the decision angered worshippers at the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara as many of them are strict vegetarians. | But the decision angered worshippers at the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara as many of them are strict vegetarians. |
| The plans have now been effectively put on hold until the row is settled at the High Court next year. | The plans have now been effectively put on hold until the row is settled at the High Court next year. |
| Lawyers acting for the Sikhs have lodged an application for a judicial review but the High Court's decision on whether to grant the review is not expected before next summer. | Lawyers acting for the Sikhs have lodged an application for a judicial review but the High Court's decision on whether to grant the review is not expected before next summer. |
| Sanctity 'undermined' | |
| Barrister Kuljeet Dobe, who is representing the Sikh objectors, said: "A decision won't be reached soon, but at the very least we have delayed Pakeezah's meat plant by at least 12 months. | Barrister Kuljeet Dobe, who is representing the Sikh objectors, said: "A decision won't be reached soon, but at the very least we have delayed Pakeezah's meat plant by at least 12 months. |
| "Bradford council have told the company not to start work until the judicial review decision is made." | "Bradford council have told the company not to start work until the judicial review decision is made." |
| At Bradford council's area planning panel meeting on 13 August, councillors heard that more than 200 members of the local Sikh community had lodged formal objections to the plans. | At Bradford council's area planning panel meeting on 13 August, councillors heard that more than 200 members of the local Sikh community had lodged formal objections to the plans. |
| They said the proximity of the gurdwara's kitchen to the proposed meat plant, where cows, pigs and chickens would be processed every day, "undermined the sanctity of worship". | They said the proximity of the gurdwara's kitchen to the proposed meat plant, where cows, pigs and chickens would be processed every day, "undermined the sanctity of worship". |
| Jatinder Singh, a regular at the temple, said it was "deeply offensive" and people felt hurt. Another worshipper asked: "How would Muslims attending a mosque feel if there was a sausage factory next door?" | Jatinder Singh, a regular at the temple, said it was "deeply offensive" and people felt hurt. Another worshipper asked: "How would Muslims attending a mosque feel if there was a sausage factory next door?" |
| Despite the objections, councillors approved the plans. | Despite the objections, councillors approved the plans. |
| Pakeezah owner Tariq Haq, who has run the business for more than 16 years, said: "We've been through the protocol and they [the council] have passed it so this should be the end." | Pakeezah owner Tariq Haq, who has run the business for more than 16 years, said: "We've been through the protocol and they [the council] have passed it so this should be the end." |
| He said the premises had always had a meat processing area, which would be extended under the plans, but still leave enough distance between the supermarket and the temple. | He said the premises had always had a meat processing area, which would be extended under the plans, but still leave enough distance between the supermarket and the temple. |
| "There were rumours that it was going to be a slaughterhouse which would have affected the temple but we would never dream of doing that," said Mr Haq. "They won't see or smell anything." | "There were rumours that it was going to be a slaughterhouse which would have affected the temple but we would never dream of doing that," said Mr Haq. "They won't see or smell anything." |
| However, the Sikh objectors still argue it is too close to their place of worship. | However, the Sikh objectors still argue it is too close to their place of worship. |
| Compromise sought | Compromise sought |
| Nirmal Singh, chairman of the board of representatives of Bradford Gurdwaras, said: "We feel they [the council] haven't taken into account the philosophical and theological points that were presented to them in a detailed report. We want the decision reverted." | Nirmal Singh, chairman of the board of representatives of Bradford Gurdwaras, said: "We feel they [the council] haven't taken into account the philosophical and theological points that were presented to them in a detailed report. We want the decision reverted." |
| Inter-faith representatives from the Diocese of Bradford and the Muslim Council of Mosques have also met Sikh leaders in an attempt to reach a compromise. | Inter-faith representatives from the Diocese of Bradford and the Muslim Council of Mosques have also met Sikh leaders in an attempt to reach a compromise. |
| Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara president Kaldeep Singh Duway said: "If we let this one through now it will set a precedent for all places of worship. | Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara president Kaldeep Singh Duway said: "If we let this one through now it will set a precedent for all places of worship. |
| "This could happen to a church or a mosque so we need to be unified." | "This could happen to a church or a mosque so we need to be unified." |
| Muslim Council of Mosques spokesperson Zulfi Karim said the meeting had been very positive but more needed to be done. | Muslim Council of Mosques spokesperson Zulfi Karim said the meeting had been very positive but more needed to be done. |
| "Further dialogue is needed with the various faith groups as well as the wider community and politicians." | "Further dialogue is needed with the various faith groups as well as the wider community and politicians." |