Chapel alterations and 24-hour use at Portsmouth Muslim Academy (formerly Mile End Chapel), Portsmouth
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Portsmouth Planning Committee on 29 Apr 2026.
What was proposed
The application sought basement alterations, layout changes, solar panels, CCTV, rooflights, removal of the external fire escape and 24-hour operation.
“23/01170/FUL | Raise basement head height (and install new windows to North elevation); changes to floor layout, with main access to rear following removal of external fire escape; install solar panels and CCTV cameras; Opening hours to be increased to 24 hours daily | Portsmouth Muslim Academy (formerly Mile End Chapel) Old Commercial Road Portsmouth PO1 4QL”
“23/01171/LBC | External alterations to include removal of external fire escape; install solar panels and CCTV cameras; Internal alterations to include raising basement head height (and install new windows to North elevation); changes to floor layout, with main access to rear and new staircase | Portsmouth Muslim Academy (formerly Mile End Chapel) Old Commercial Road Portsmouth PO1 4QL”
Officer report
The site
The site is a Grade II listed former chapel in the Mile End Conservation Area, now used again for religious purposes.
“The application site is a Grade II listed former chapel, which has had a number of uses since including an art studio, and is now used for religious purposes again. Alongside the various changes of use, detailed in the planning history, a number of alterations to the building have occurred throughout the past, resulting in an interior with a somewhat reduced significance for a listed building of its age.”
“The application site is located within the Mile End Conservation Area No.5 and is located on the corner of Old Commercial Road and Mill Lane. Mill Lane was closed up and became a cul-de-sac with the dualling of Mile End Road.”
Officer report
Earlier permissions
Earlier permissions covered worship use, Ramadan hours, artists’ studios, front gates, toilets, a garage and a fire escape staircase.
“12/00458/VOC Variation of Condition 1 of planning permission 08/01797/PLAREG to allow the use of the building for worship between the hours of 0300hrs and midnight during the month of Ramadan annually Conditional Permission 20.06.2012”
“EXTN/FORM TOILETS & A GARAGE ON LANDFORMINGPART OF MILL LANE & PROVIDE FIRE ESCAPE STAIRWAY Permission 03.07.1973”
Officer report
What people said
Sixteen of seventeen full application representations objected, while all sixteen listed building representations objected; one full application representation supported the works.
“Extended opening hours would disturb residential amenity • uPVC windows and solar panels are not appropriate for a listed building in a conservation area • Mill Lane should not be blocked off • Extending basement will give application further capacity which could harm residential amenity • Lack of consultation from applicant prior to planning application being made…”
Officer report
The committee decision
The committee granted conditional planning permission for the application.
“23/01170/FUL - RESOLVED that the application be granted conditional planning permission.”
Minutes
Sources
- Portsmouth Planning Committee minutes, 29 April 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Portsmouth's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Portsmouth Planning Committee
- Council
- Portsmouth
- Date
- Wednesday 29 April 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Portsmouth committee decisions →
This committee's year
63 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 13 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.