Centre hopes to expand premises for worshippers
AN ISLAMIC education centre in a Cardiff suburb is planning to expand to accommodate another 600 worshippers – but fears have been raised about traffic and parking in the area.
Al-Ikhlas Cultural and Education Centre has bought two properties adjoining its premises in Broadway, Adamsdown, and wants to develop and merge both buildings together as part of a £395,000 project.
The current centre can currently accommodate 200 people, but it now wants to have capacity for up to 800 people as the area’s Muslim population grows.
But the potential development, on a busy street through Adamsdown, has raised concerns over traffic and parking in the area.
The centre says it is planning the expansion to accommodate the current demand – and it foresees no notable increase in traffic.
An Adamsdown resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I am concerned about such a large increase of worshippers being brought to an already highly populated area and the impact on this being more parking issues for myself and local residents and businesses.
“More congestion would be brought to an already busy area with with people already parking up to each available junction and every available space.”
Councillor Owen Jones said some residents have raised concerns about the application.
“I will be voicing these (concerns) with the planning team,” he said.
“This will be centered around the extra strain the expansion could create on Broadway, Cecil and Richmond in terms of parking.
“I know many of the current users of the centre don’t drive so I would like to see cycle provision incorporated into the plans.”
If the plans are allowed the centre would have two prayer halls – one for men and the other for women – on the ground and first floors respectively with washing facilities.
A library is also planned for the ground floor. The second floor would be a youth club area.
Imam Ahmed Ali, from Al Ikhlas, said the expansion plans at the centre are mainly to accommodate its current regular worshippers.
He said: “Our present facilities are woefully inadequate for the community’s needs, as can been seen on Friday prayer times when many worshippers are being forced to pray on the pavement outside the building.
“This is of course an inconvenience for our neighbours and a health and safety concern for our congregation.
“Our expansion plans are mainly in order to accommodate our current regular worshippers.
“Most of our congregation are newly arrived from overseas and as such are not coming to the centre by car.
“Others also live nearby, and thankfully we are close to several main bus routes on Broadway and Newport Road, so we do not anticipate a noticeable increase in traffic.
“Moreover, we already employ our own ‘traffic wardens’ during busy times who ensure both road and pavement are kept flowing and road safety is respected and adhered to by all.”
Mr Ali said anyone with concerns is welcome to visit the centre and ask questions directly.