South Leamington people protest against Sikh wedding venue plans
MHLC-21-06-12 Temple petition Jun117 Queensway residents with over 200 signature a petition against a planning application put forward for a community centre on the site of the old Sikh temple and parking along the pavement and outside their houses. Pictured,John Griffin and Abbie Barnes and neighbours with a copy of the petition.
PLANS for a new wedding venue close to the Sikh temple in Leamington have sparked anger in the neighbouring community.
The Gurdwara committee wants to convert a building it owns at the site of the former Sikh temple off Queensway – which is very close to the current temple in Tachbrook Park Drive – into a religious facility, which will mostly be used for Sikh wedding ceremonies.
But around 60 people who live in the street have signed a petition against the proposal, which they say will overcrowd the Queensway with cars and lorries that will have to park there.
Among them is Harminder Kullar, who lives directly opposite the building. She said: “Wedding guests would have to park at our houses and on the grass verges here. Children play on the green, but it’s all going to be cars.
“There is going to be extra traffic coming in as well. The parking here is already ridiculous.”
She added: “The main access areas are going to be via Queensway and that’s where the lorries supplying the venue will park. But the street is already full.”
The proposal, which was received by Warwick District Council in April, replaced an earlier application to convert the building into a cultural and sports centre, which was also opposed by many members of the area’s Sikh community, who said the building had no planning consent.
In an application letter outlining the proposal sent to the district council on behalf of Arlington Planning Services, which is managing the proposal for the Gurdwara committee, town planner Geoff Wilson said: “Wedding receptions are primarily on a Sunday and no other activity will take place in the hall on that day.
“Access for wedding guests will be via Queensway, where the commercial businesses do not operate on Saturday and Sunday. There is ample street parking for any overflow.”
The council’s planning committee will make a decision on the matter at its meeting at Leamington town hall on Tuesday from 6pm.
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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