A madrassa educational centre is facing legal action within 18 months of planning permission being granted because it has been operating outside agreed hours.
Bradford Council approved the centre, in Woodhall Avenue, in December 2012 after rejecting a similar application for the site that July.
One reason for the approval was that the proposed opening hours for the centre were reduced from a requested 9am to 7pm every day of the week, to 3pm until 7pm.
However, the Council has since received complaints that those running the madrassa are breaching planning conditions. Attempts by the local authority to resolve the situation by requesting planning conditions were complied with received no response.
As a result, the Council’s planning manager for enforcement has issued a Breach of Conditions notice.
Bradford Moor councillor Shafiq Mohammed (Lab) said he would be stepping in to ask that conditions were upheld.
“The location is in a quiet area and I don’t want to see any members of the community facing difficulties as a result of breaches of planning conditions,” he said.
“The applicant needs to comply with the conditions. I will be speaking to him to remind him of his responsibility to comply. Then it is a matter for him.”
A report to councillors due to discuss the matter at tomorrow’s Bradford Area Planning Panel says: “The Local Planning Authority considers it expedient to issue a Breach of Condition Notice due to the effect on residential amenity and highway safety.”
According to the document, the planning conditions that have been broken are the restriction of use to the hours of 3pm and 7pm and also that the sole use of the premises as a madrassa.
Planning documents in 2012 said: “This limited level of activity is considered more suitable for the property and the predominantly residential setting.
“The reduced hours of operation removes concerns regarding where pupils would spend break times.
“Noise and disturbance generated by the comings and goings of pupils is also likely to be greatly reduced.”
The successful application in 2012 had been made by Mr K Ali. Before becoming a madrassa the building had been vacant, having previously been used as a shop. No-one from the Anwaar-Ul-Islam madrassa could be contacted for comment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article