Muslim group ordered to stop afternoon teas

1:19pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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A religious group who repeatedly defied the council by holding games, afternoon tea and ladies discussion sessions in a commercial building has been ordered to stop.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (AMA) has been using the premises behind 255 Earlsfield Road as a community hall despite not having the relevant planning permission.

“We’ve gone as far as we can with this and we completely respect the decision. We have to work in line with the planning department and the wishes of our neighbours.”

Dr Basharat Nasir

But members of the planning committee last week authorised enforcement action against the association, meaning it could face legal proceedings.

The AMA’s relationship with the council over this building has been a chequered one.

In 2005, it was refused planning permission to change the use of the premises, and the following year its appeal against this decision was dismissed.

Local residents have since complained on several occasions the it was still being used as a community hall, despite promises by the AMA that it would apply for planning permission to turn the site into a residential premises.

The AMA originally wanted to use the site for prayers, afternoon tea sessions, language classes, ladies discussion forums and youth indoor games evenings, with most activities held before 10pm during the weekend.

But a complainant told the council that the activities were taking place on Fridays.

And in further contravention of the rules, the two bedroom flat on the first floor was being used by the community’s religious leaders.

A report to the planning committee said: “The use as a community hall is having a detrimental impact on the immediately adjoining neighbours and the surrounding area... There is no off-street parking to serve the community or the existing residential properties, and existing parking issues are exacerbated by the use as a community hall.”

All fixtures and fitting associated with the use as a community hall and residential unit are now to be removed.

The Ahmadiyya movement, which has had its headquarters in Britain since its members were declared non-Muslims in their native Pakistan, has more than 80 branches in the UK.

Media spokesman Dr Basharat Nasir said: “We’ve gone as far as we can with this and we completely respect the decision. We have to work in line with the planning department and the wishes of our neighbours.”