Planning bosses cite equality law as they approve controversial scheme to expand mosque - as residents claim councillors are 'scared of being branded racist'

Furious residents have claimed a Liberal Democrat-led council was too scared of being labelled racist after it approved controversial plans to expand a busy mosque in a residential suburb. Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council cited equality legislation as it approved the scheme which states that it must 'advance equality...between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic'. The rapid increase in Muslim worshippers at the mosque has led to community tensions building in Winton, Bournemouth in recent years. Neighbours have complained of being woken by early morning prayers and cars clogging up the narrow roads by parking on double yellow lines, across driveways and close to junctions. There have also been noise issues raised about the Imam using a microphone to lead prayers and attendees gathering outside the Jamei Mosque and speaking loudly.The mounting tensions between some of the homeowners and worshippers have led to verbal altercations between the two parties. So when the mosque submitted plans to increase its capacity by building into the loft, more than 20 residents wrote letters of objection, warning it would make the situation unbearable. Pictures show a large number of worshippers gathering outside the building in the leafy residential suburb of the seaside town The rapid increase in Muslim worshippers to the mosque has led to community tensions to build in Winton, Bournemouth in recent years Furious residents have claimed a Liberal Democrat-led council was too scared of being labelled racist after it approved controversial plans to expand a busy mosque in a residential suburbDespite opposition, the council approved the scheme, stating it 'is not likely to unduly impact neighbours'. They cited the Equality Act (2010) which states they must 'advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it'.Angry residents have now accused the council of 'taking the easy way out' in order to not be seen to offend the large Muslim community. One neighbour said: 'I think the council have ignored us (the residents) because they don't want to be accused of Islamophobia.'Another woman added: 'I'm disappointed but not surprised that they have got their way.'The council has taken the easy way out, I think because they were worried that if they rejected it they would be seen to be racist.'The residents said that when the mosque opened over 20 years ago it was small and there were no noise or parking issues. But a large influx of worshippers in recent years has meant it has outgrown the building, which has a capacity for 600 people. Pictures show a large number of worshippers gathering outside the building in the leafy residential suburb of the seaside town. Residents have complained that about the Imam using a microphone to lead prayers and attendees gathering outside the Jamei Mosque and speaking loudly Neighbours have complained of being woken by early morning prayers and cars clogging up the narrow roads by parking on double yellow lines, across driveways and close to junctions When the mosque submitted plans to increase its capacity by building into the loft, more than 20 residents wrote letters of objectionIt has led to 'mayhem' on the surrounding roads during daily prayers with residents returning home to find their street blocked by attendees spilling outside, it is claimed.One resident said: 'I'm worried about safety and I hope I'm proved wrong about that but I fear I won't be.'You see cars parked illegally on both sides of the road and it is an accident waiting to happen.'The other day someone who was not looking almost reversed into my car while attempting to park and I had to beep to stop him from hitting me. Imagine if it was a child.'It is a small place of worship which has outgrown itself for its location as this is a residential area with narrow streets.'This extension means even more people and makes things worse.'Another neighbour said the expansion would make her life a 'nightmare'.The neighbour said she and her husband had repeatedly been blocked in by illegally parked cars at prayer times.She said: 'Fridays are going to be a nightmare because of this.'I already don't like going out on a Friday because I don't know if I will be able to park in my own space.'It even happened when I was pregnant and yet when you ask them to move they can be rude and inconsiderate.'One person said 'I don't see a sign saying I can't park here,' but it's our private space, why should we have to put one up?Another objector, Carly Thomas, said: 'Having lived on an adjoining road for many years the parking for the mosque is already completely out of control.'Visitors of the mosque's vehicles completely overwhelm the surrounding streets.'This means that vehicles are parked on curbs, across driveways and dropped curbs and on junctions.'Visitors spill out onto the street and often stand around for long periods of time which doesn't allow the public to move safely on the pavement and I have had to walk in the road on many occasions.'I have also been shouted at by mosque users when trying to pass.'Adding even more users to an already completely overwhelmed area is going to cause many more safety concerns and an accident is most likely to happen.'This is completely ludicrous.'In order to address concerns about late night or early-morning prayers disrupting neighbours' sleep, planning officials have imposed an 8am to 10pm curfew for prayers, with no Tannoy use after 7pm. They have also added the condition that the gravel car park must be paved over to address noise issues. Beverley Gilbert, who has lived in the street for 34 years, said her family have struggled to sleep because of late night and early morning prayers. Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council cited equality legislation as it approved the scheme BCP Council said residents' concerns had been taken on board and traffic wardens patrol the area every day to monitor illegal parking The mosque plans to increase capacity by building into the loft (planning documents pictured)The 62-year-old retail worker said: 'I've got no objection to a mosque being there but they need to abide by the rules the council have put in place.'If I was playing loud music I would be expected to stop by 11pm and it would be the same if you were throwing a party.'Hundreds of people go in there and with the use of the microphones the sounds are amplified.'My eight-year-old grandchild cries because she can't get to sleep, even though we have double glazing.'You hear the loud chatting when they leave, even late at night.'Our cars have been blocked in but when we've asked them to move we've been shouted at.'I'm not racist but I think it is important to respect others and follow the rules.'Maria Goddard said: 'Parking is always a challenge but when the mosque is open the roads are dreadful.'The disregard for yellow lines is bad enough but people standing in the roads causing blockages is awful.'When I walk into Winton the mayhem at that junction is intimidating to say the least.'The building isn't fit to handle the volume of people that attend.'I would suggest they move to larger premises more fit for purpose that can accommodate the amount of people they need to.'The disruption locally is only getting worse.'The proposals will see a meeting room and a women and children assembly area incorporated into a first floor extension.The council planning officer's report states: 'The proposed expansion and extension of the mosque in terms of the additional bulk, mass and volume is not likely to unduly impact neighbours.'The proposals are considered acceptable in terms of impact to character and appearance.'BCP Council said residents' concerns had been taken on board and traffic wardens patrol the area every day to monitor illegal parking.Cllr Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, said: 'We understand that some residents have concerns about highway safety, parking and traffic in relation to these approved proposals.'We have considered all responses to a public consultation alongside the applicant's need for additional worship space, and we have taken steps to reduce the impact of the expansion on residents. Locals have complained of being woken in the early hours of the day by those attending pre-dawn prayers at the mosque. Pictured is a car parked on a surrounding road'This includes requiring the applicant to replace an existing gravel car park with hard paving to prevent noise and loose material from spilling onto the road.'We know that even with these conditions, some residents might still have concerns about traffic.'Our civil enforcement officers patrol roads throughout the conurbation every day to help keep our streets safe and accessible for everyone.'Where vehicles are found to be parked illegally, they may be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice as part of our normal enforcement work.'This is a legal process. Each planning decision is determined on its own merits and in accordance with the law.'