Mosque and religious education at The Peacock Public House, Gravesend

What was proposed

The application proposed changing the ground floor from a public house to a mosque with prayer space and supplementary Islamic education for up to 30 children.

“The proposal would be to use the basement as a storage area (approx. 82 m2), with the ground floor used for as a prayer hall/area fir religious instruction. The basement and ground floor would be occupied as a Mosque also known as a Masjid, by members of the Muslim faith.”

“In addition to providing a venue for prayers to take place, the applicant is also proposing that the venue is used for educating children supplementary, this education would be supplementary to a child’s mainstream education, and would provide Islamic Studies to children so that they for example can read and speak Arabic.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The building is in a predominantly residential urban area near the town centre, with residential accommodation on its upper floors and storage in the basement.

“This proposed used relates only to the ground floor of this building, with the basement being utilised for storage purposes. The existing basement and ground floor is a public house. The first and second floors of the building are comprised of a four-bedroom flat, and this part of the building was subject to a separate application for conversion to an HMO. The HMO was granted planning permission by the Local Planning Authority on 27 September 2024.”

“The building is a three-storey building is located on the junction of St Andrews Road and Peacock Street, in a predominantly residential area and within the urban area of the Borough. The site itself is in close proximity to the Town Centre, and within walking distance of Gravesend Railway Station and other local services.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended temporary permission because the proposal was acceptable in principle, but its effect on residential amenity needed to be tested through actual use.

“To address this concern, a temporary permission is proposed which would allow for testing of the actual impacts on residential amenity of neighbours from the proposed use, before a permanent change is agreed to ensure that the proposal would therefore be in compliance with policy CS19 of the Core Strategy 2014.”

“The additional information provided regarding hours of use/capacity numbers and provision of the Noise Assessment provides greater clarity and assurances on the impact to residential neighbours. However, given the highly residential nature of the area and the potential for large numbers of visitors at unsociable hours, a cautious approach to ensure impacts to residents are limited, would be necessary if the application were to be approved.”

Officer report

What people said

Supporters cited local need, accessibility and community benefits, while objectors raised traffic, parking, noise, character, capacity and community concerns.

“Traffic concerns • Parking Concerns • Noise Concerns including of amplified sound and at unneighbourly hours • There are sufficient number of mosques in the area. • It’s a highly residential area which has existing problems. • Use as a pub has cultural significance to the community – Loss of community asset. • The pub has a historical placement within Gravesend which would be stripped of its identity.”

“Similar sites such as those in the Westcourt Area have suffered from congestion, parking issues and noise from those visiting the mosque there. • Not a suitable use for the town centre other uses such as restaurant, houses, or back to a pub would be more suitable. • British culture is being taken over. • Does not fit with local interest. • The site is not appropriate, an alternative location with ample space and capacity would be better.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Speakers in favour included the agent and two supporters; a resident spoke against the application, and the Leader of the Council addressed the committee.

The committee’s decision

The committee delegated refusal to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair, citing noise, highway safety and parking concerns.

“Planning Committee 30.07.2025 4 • Members also raised concerns regarding the noise disruption to local residents as a result of attendees to the mosque entering/leaving, especially at unsociable hours e.g. early in the morning. • Points were raised regarding the consideration of an alternative venue, and the possible loss of Parrock Street car parking.”

“RESOLVED that the application be DELEGATED to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair to be REFUSED on the following grounds: • Noise • Highway safety • Parking concerns…”

Minutes