The head Imam at a mosque which is looking to expand claims he has struck a deal to ease fears over congestion.

Qur’ani Murkuz Trust (QMT) chairman and head Imam at South Woodford Community Centre, Dr Mohammed Fahim, has moved to allay residents’ concerns that large numbers of visitors to an extended mosque in Mulberry Way will cause congestion in nearby roads.

An application has been submitted to demolish the existing mosque and create a new three-storey building comprising a prayer room, a community hall and four residential flats.

But a number of people living nearby have raised objections, with some claiming the proposal is too high and many citing fears of congestion in surrounding roads and inadequate parking.

But Dr Fahim said he has an agreement with Redbridge Council to have double yellow lines installed around the building and insists he is not expecting more worshippers to visit the new mosque.

He said:  “I submitted a request to Redbridge Council to implement double yellow lines around the community centre as I was aware of the local community’s opinions about road congestion during prayer times.

“I am on the side of the neighbours and they are always in our minds and hearts and that is why I suggested the plan to the council.

“Yesterday, I received an email from the council to say they are going ahead with the request.”
Tanya Nielson, of Mulberry Way, South Woodford, says the proposed style of the building “is not in keeping with the surrounding area” and the “proposed size of the building is out of proportion with the surrounding area”.

The unnamed owner of nearby car body repair shop, Motor Works, said: “My business is directly opposite the mosque and every Friday when weekly prayers take place, my customers, my suppliers and my business suffers because of the increase in the traffic at the junction of George Lane, Mulberry Way, Daisy Road and Primrose Road.  

“Past performance and experience does indicate that once this application has been passed, the next step will be to apply for an increase in numbers on the grounds that they do have the space to accommodate them”.

Dr Fahim admits the existing mosque is an “eyesore” and claims he had wanted to demolish the single-story building 16 years ago following a suspected arson attack on the property by the British National Party (BNP).

He said: “We (the Trust) have encountered a lot of problems with the council over the years and it wasn’t as simple as demolishing the building following the fire.

“In the last decade, we’ve had to submit proposals to change the use of the centre, the capacity, and the car park layout to get to where we are today.”

Dr Fahim also contends that there will always be opposition when religion is involved.

“There is an added element of opposition when religion is involved. If it involved a pub, club or bar, then local resident would most likely be supportive but you will always find opposition whether it is a synagogue, temple or a mosque.”

Earlier this year, two public consultations about the plans to redevelop the site were held and many local businesses and residents were shown images of the proposed layout of the building.

The QMT has had several meetings with officials from Redbridge Council’s planning department whereby changes based on public concerns have been implemented to ensure the new Mosque meets community demands.