Council cannot limit worshipper numbers at expanding temple Neighbours’ fears over gurdwara extension plan
BIRMINGHAM council officials have admitted they cannot impose limits on the number of people attending a Sikh temple despite fears over expansion plans.
The Singh Sabha Gurdwara Temple has submitted plans to extend its place of worship in Somerset Road, Handsworth.
The temple says the development is simply to improve facilities for its existing worshippers and not to increase its capacity of up to 250 people.
Birmingham City Council’s planning committee will make a decision on the scheme on Thursday (July 19).
But 14 residents have lodged formal objections with concerns including a loss of privacy, its impact on the character of the area and claims the site will become ‘overdeveloped’.
A prominent reason for opposition is a fear it will lead to an increased number of worshippers and number of weddings causing traffic problems in the area.
A planning officer dismissed the view but conceded the council would struggle to impose a cap on the number of people even if it wanted to, because they could not enforce it. The officer’s report said: “I am reluctant to impose a condition restricting the number of users given it is unlikely that it would meet the tests set out in the NPPF / NPPG (National Planning Policy Framework/Guidance).
“As a matter of policy, conditions should only be imposed where they satisfy the following six tests, therefore they must be necessary; relevant to planning; relevant to the development to be permitted; enforceable; precise; and reasonable in all respects and I do not consider that such a condition would meet these tests, in particular in respect of enforceable.”
The development includes a range of single and two-storey building extensions increasing floorspace by 3,983 sq ft.
It will create a lobby, baby changing room, male and female toilets, an office, two lecture theatres, a shoe storage space, registry as well as enlarge the main hall.
None of the existing 48 car parking spaces would be lost as a result of the expansion.
The officer added: “The applicant advises that the proposed extensions would not result in any additional worshippers but instead improve the existing facilities for the existing established use.”
The council also said the development would not have a significant impact on neighbours and recommended the planning committee approve the scheme.
A condition has been proposed to limit the hours of weddings, funerals and ceremonies to between 10am and 2pm on any given day.