King’s Lynn Islamic centre objections ‘removed’

On-line objections to a proposed Islamic community centre in Lynn are being vetted for racist or inflammatory content.

One objector contacted the Lynn News after his comments about an application to change the use of a former pub in London Road were removed from West Norfolk Council’s website. The objector, who asked to remain anonymous, said his comments were phrased politely and were not abusive or threatening in any way.

A council spokesman replied that objections to the application relating to the former Queen’s Arms pub were being vetted by council officers after inappropriate comments were received.

Objections would be put back on the website after a few days if they were not judged to be offensive or racist. They would then be taken into consideration when the planning application was considered. Anonymous comments were also being removed from the website and would not be put back or considered, said the spokesman.

Any objector whose comments were not put back on the website would need to re-submit their objection using appropriate language, she said.

The application by West Norfolk Islamic Association seeks to use the old pub as a place of worship and a community/resource centre.

Last week, a man was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage after racist graffiti was daubed on outside walls of the building.

Lynn News, 8 March 2012