Newham Council’s rejection of a planning application for the UK’s biggest mosque is set to be the subject of a public inquiry this year.
Councillors voted unanimously to reject plans for a 9,000 capacity building for Muslim worshippers in December on the site – former industrial land at the end of Canning Road which is listed for strategic development. Officers argued that the mosque plans failed to provide a mixed-use development.
The Riverine Trust, who submitted the planning application, appealed and the decision is due to be examined in a public inquiry of the Planning Inspectorate over a number of weeks towards the end of 2013.
Last month, the High Court ordered the Trust to clear the site, also known as the Abbey Mills Mosque, where 3,000 Muslims currently worship. But instead the Trustees have now applied to a judge to appeal the injunction meaning no timetable to clear the site has been put in place.
They have also submitted proposals to the council for a new planning application for a mixed-use development.