The Altrincham & Hale Muslim Association has said it “understands” community concerns over plans for a new community centre on Green Belt in Timperley – but maintains that the proposed site “ticks all the boxes”.
Earlier this month we revealed how a detailed planning application for a 20,000 sq ft Islamic Community Centre off Thorley Lane was imminent.
It will replace the Islamic Cultural Centre at the former St David’s Church on Grove Lane and is intended to “accommodate the growing local Muslim population”.
Reaction to the proposals on social media has largely opposed the development on the grounds of its location on Green Belt land.
But a spokesperson for the Altrincham & Hale Muslim Association said that the proposed land is in fact “unsightly” and “more suited to a brownfield site”.
“The Association understands that the community may have concerns about the fact that the site is in the green belt,” the spokesperson said.
“The land at Thorley Lane already has a number of established uses which are unsightly and are more suited to a brownfield site. The proposals would also remediate contaminated land at the site and enhance biodiversity. Special regulations do apply with regards to development in the green belt and we will address this in our planning application which is currently being prepared.
“Our planning application will also contain detailed, specialist reports which will address other aspects of the proposed development, such as highways and any flood risk.”
The association has supplied a picture (below) of the site to demonstrate the state of the land, which is located opposite Wyevale World of Pets and Leisure and World of Water Aquatic Centre.
The proposed two-storey building will have a main building and a connected single storey café building to the rear of the site, as well as “ample” parking.
The association emphasised that the new centre would be open to the whole community.
“As well as being a place of worship, its uses will extend to providing new space for teaching, mother and toddlers’ groups, other community meetings, exhibitions and the like. A new Garden of Contemplation and café will be open to the wider community of Altrincham and Hale,” it added.
“The Association has a long held need for a new bespoke building. For a number of years, it has been clear that our Grove Lane centre is no longer fit for purpose and cannot accommodate our growing community. For example, we are very conscious that a lack of a dedicated car park has inevitably led to inconvenience for our Grove Lane neighbours.
“We considered an option to put a new building on our existing site, but this was not feasible for a variety of reasons. We commissioned property professionals to consider a range of alternative sites and Thorley Lane ticks all of the boxes, especially in terms of convenience of location and providing space for a bespoke, quality building.
“The Community Centre will be a place for all members of the community and faiths. It is an exciting new development for the communities of Altrincham and Hale, and will provide the space so urgently needed as a result of the growing membership of the current Islamic Cultural Centre.”
