Prayer and community hall at Compass House, Neville Street, Oldham

What was proposed

A two-storey building would provide a ground-floor prayer hall and first-floor community hall, creating 1,144 square metres of floorspace.

“The proposal is for the erection of a two-storey building with ground floor prayer hall (F1(f)) and first floor community hall (F2b).”

Officer report

The site

The site north of Compass House was enclosed by security fencing and contained a concrete pad and steel structures.

“The application relates to an area of land north to Compass House, Neville Street, Oldham, OL9 6LD.”

“The site is currently enclosed by security fencing and contains a concrete pad and steel structures. These were installed following the granting of planning permission for the demolition of an annex building that originally occupied the site, and erection of a prayer hall (Ref: PA/343451/19).”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Highways raised no objection subject to cycle storage, while ecology, environmental health and mining concerns were addressed through recommended conditions.

“No objection, subject to a cycle storage condition.”

“The site lies within a Development High Risk Area, where historic, unrecorded shallow coal mining may pose risks to ground stability and public safety. Initial ground investigation reports lacked a specific assessment of coal mining risks, resulting in an initial objection from the Coal Authority.”

Officer report

Public comments

There were 51 supporting comments and 26 objections, covering community benefits, parking, traffic, amenity, noise and planning concerns.

“In accordance with the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, and the Council’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement, the application has been advertised as a major development by display of a site notice, publication of a press notice, and neighbour notification letters.”

“Severe congestion on Neville Street, Daintry Road, and Middleton Road. • Overflow parking from mosque and Ahmed Cash & Carry affecting residents. • Lack of independent traffic and parking assessments. • Concerns that existing infrastructure cannot support increased demand.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant attended the meeting and addressed the committee.

The committee vote

The motion to approve received 14 votes in favour, none against and one abstention.

“It was MOVED by Councillor S Hussain and SECONDED by Councillor Islam that the application be APPROVED”

“On being put to the vote 14 VOTES were cast IN FAVOUR OF APPROVAL and 0 VOTES were cast AGAINST with 1 ABSTENTIONS.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was granted subject to the report’s conditions and an amended condition in the late list.

“DECISION: That the application be GRANTED subject to the conditions as outlined in the report and amended condition in the Late List.”

“In reaching its decision, the Committee took into consideration the information as set out in the Late List attached at Item 7 8”

Minutes