Anger as road worries fail to halt £1m mosque

Locals say there has been no debate but council says it followed all planning rules

Planners are under fire for approving an application for a £1 million mosque in Perth, despite worries about parking and congestion.

The Perth Islamic Society has secured planning permission for a new purposebuilt place of worship at Jeanfield Road.

The group said it needed new accommodation for its fast-growing congregation. Earlier this year, a spokesman said the society had about 600 members across Perthshire.

Objectors – who have welcomed the idea of a mosque but believe it is in the wrong location – have pointed out the design for the site only has a handful of parking spaces.

Leading criminologist Simon Harding, who lives near the site, has lodged a formal complaint against Perth and Kinross Council, demanding an explanation for the “rushed” decision.

The Rose Crescent resident claims locals were not fully consulted on the proposal.

He said: “Local residents are astonished this has gone through in such a rushed fashion, with no public debate or discussion.

“Many local people simply had no idea an application had been lodged.”

Dr Harding said he was told by planners a decision was taken based on a membership of 80, not 600. And he said a comment by a transport planning officer that parking was a “civil enforcement matter, rather than a planning issue” was “naive and astonishing”.

“Parking is clearly a planning consideration and 11 parking bays will be insufficient,” he said.

“The Perth Islamic Society clearly needs new premises. However, this cramped Jeanfield Road site is – or very shortly will be – unsuitable for them and their declared desire to expand considerably in size.”

Dr Harding said the site, a vacant yard, should have been kept for housing.

In her report to councillors, planner Persephone Beer said: “It is noted that in terms of parking provision within the site, based on the information provided to environmental health in terms of projected worshippers, the proposed on-site parking is adequate.”

A Perth and Kinross Council spokeswoman added: “The plans for Jeanfield Road in Perth were approved under delegated powers for the change of use of a building.

“Information in support of this application stated there would be a maximum of between 80 to 100 people at Friday prayers and that other sessions would attract a much lower number.

“Any plans to build a new purposebuilt building on this site would require a further planning application which would be assessed on its merits at the time.”

She added: “As there were only five objections under the council’s scheme of delegation, there was no requirement to take a report on this application to the development management committee.

“The council followed the correct statutory procedure for neighbour notification and the application was also advertised in a local newspaper.”

This cramped Jeanfield Road site is – or very shortly will be – unsuitable for them

Picture: Steve MacDougall. The site of the proposed mosque on Jeanfield Road, Perth, which has local people worrying about the traffic it will generate.