Plans for Muslim community centre on business park are 'accident waiting to happen'

Opposition is mounting against plans to build a Muslim community and prayer center on a busy business park.

More and more companies based on the Chettisham Business Park, just outside Ely, have lodged formal objections to Ely Muslims’ plans to transform the former Aquarius Furniture warehouse on the business park, in Lynn Road, into a community and prayer center.

As previously reported, the group wants to turn a 280 square-meter area inside the warehouse into a meeting point for local Muslim families where they can worship and celebrate religious activities and cultural festivals.

But firms based on the business park say that the development, if approved, would be an “accident waiting to happen”.

Mr D. Cassam, from Ely’s Removal Service, said: “I rent the storage unit next door to where this proposed site would be situated and the access to this center would be the same access we use to transport large and heavy pieces of furniture constantly during our working day.

“Another key factor is the loading bay situated close to the steps. This loading bay is used by heavy forklift trucks/pallet trucks; another case for alarm is when it comes to pedestrian access, especially children. It would be an accident waiting to happen.”

Sarah Carter, finance director at Holloseal, said: “We are located at the entrance to the park and constantly using our large frontage on the circular road with both lorries and forklifts.

“All traffic has to pass us and pedestrians being present at the park would create a significant risk of injury given the constant lorry and forklift activity.”

The final decision lies with East Cambridgeshire District Council.