Planners say Muslim group misled them over numbers at Galway mosque
City planners have accused a Muslim group of misleading them on plans for a cultural meeting room behind a mosque currently under construction in Ballybrit.
Planners have also voiced concerns that the meeting room will have a negative impact on the amenity of residents and potential to cause a noise nuisance.
Dr Mamoon Rashid and Dr Anwar Malik of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Ireland had sought permission to build a cultural meeting room to the rear of the mosque which is currently being built at The Cottages on the Monivea Road.
According to the application, they have a regular local congregation of 35 people, and the meeting room will have a capacity of between 30 and 40 people.
“The prayer room and the meeting room will be used separately. One will be used after or before the other. Meetings or debates will not be undertaken or food consumed within the mosque prayer hall.
“Cultural meetings will be held in the proposed meeting room, both will not be occupied at the same time. Therefore no additional parking will be required on site,” the application reads.
However, planners have sought extensive clarification from the association, noting discrepancies.
They said that in the original application for the mosque in 2009, the applicants said: “Friday is the most important day for the Muslim community, with the number of people attending the mosque/cultural centre reaching 25”.
However, planners said the cover letter with new application is misleading, as the applicants claimed to have planning permission for a capacity of “60 to 80 people”.
Clarification was sought, because this would represent a significant intensification of the site with regard to use and carparking.
“The proposed meeting room gives rise to concerns with regard to the potential to impact negatively on the residential amenity of existing and future residents.
“The applicant is asked to provide details regarding the use (including operating hours” of the mosque/cultural centre meeting room, both during normal operating days and weeks and during special events such as Ramadan. The applicant should provide details regarding numbers of patrons attending the mosque and meeting room.
“Given the proximity of the proposed meeting room to a residential plot located to the south, as well as other residential units in the area, the applicant is asked to provide details of sound insulation measures,” planners said.
They added that the Fire Authority has ordered that turning facilities be provided for fire brigade appliances.
There was one objection to the original application for the mosque on the grounds that it would be injurious to residential amenity, visually obtrusive in a row of traditional cottages, would pose a traffic hazard, and there is a lack of parking.