AN Islamic trust is celebrating success in its year-long battle to extend the opening hours at its faith centre. 

The Government planning inspectorate has ruled Basildon Council was wrong to refuse its bid to open between 4.30am and 12.30am following an appeal hearing. 

The South Essex Islamic Trust, which took over the former Barge Inn pub in Vange, aimed to extend the hours to encompass all five periods of daily prayer as observed by practising Muslims. 

The building formerly housed a pubThe building formerly housed a pub (Image: Google Maps)
However, Basildon Council ruled against the plans after councillors raised concerns over noise levels and parking. 

The appeal concluded councillors had no evidence to support their objections and acted unreasonably in coming to their decision.

The trust, chaired by Husman Rafiq and his wife Saima, have welcome the decision. 

“Our whole community is very happy with decision to grant the appeal but it is a shame it ever had to come to this,” said Mrs Rafiq. 

“We’ve wasted so much time and money, which the council will now have to recompense. 
“They would have saved a lot if they’d acted properly in the first place.” 

South Essex Islamic Trust is located in the Vange area of BasildonSouth Essex Islamic Trust is located in the Vange area of Basildon (Image: Google Maps)
The Planning Inspectorate’s conclusion specifies that Basildon Council must compensate Mr Rafiq for the costs of his appeal.

Although councillors rejected the extension in part due to concerns around noise levels, the Planning Inspectorate’s report stated the council’s environmental health team received no complaints from residents in relation to noise nuisance.  

The centre is used for prayer by Vange's Muslim communityThe centre is used for prayer by Vange's Muslim community (Image: Husman Rafiq)

Mr and Mrs Rafiq are now calling for a review of the council’s handling of planning applications. They are especially focused on reforming the threshold for evidence in planning decisions.

“The fact that councillors are able to make decisions based on opinions and hearsay really poses a risk of bias and prejudice in these processes,” said Mrs Rafiq.

“To make things worse, throughout the whole process we were never able to defend ourselves”.

Basildon Council has been contacted for comment.

South Essex Islamic Trust’s Basildon faith centre is at the junction of Clay Hill Road, London Road and High Road. Information on services and opening hours can be found at seit.org.uk