Where in South Street the HICC plans to relocate to. Credit: HICC
(Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sebastian Mann)
The Havering Islamic Cultural Centre (HICC) will be moving from its current home in Waterloo Road to South Street.
The council needs to acquire the mosque to facilitate its proposed regeneration of Bridge Close, which involves a new primary school, healthcare services and more than 1,000 new homes.
The South Street centre would comprise new prayer halls, community spaces, and a food bank and soup kitchen. The centre currently operates both from its Waterloo Road base, and holds daily prayers.
In promotional material, a spokesperson for the centre said: “Our current home at Waterloo Road in Romford is facing demolition as part of the Bridge Close regeneration scheme.
“As a result, an alternative site is needed and we are bringing forward plans to redevelop the land occupied by the former Page Calnan building.
“Our vision is to retain its historic façade and deliver a new mosque, with improved outreach facilities for all the community.
“Our proposals feature prayer halls, community space, meeting rooms, and education space.”
Moving location will require the HICC to “raise significant additional funding from the community,” according to Councillor Graham Williamson, Havering’s cabinet member for regeneration.
He said: “Whilst we had originally considered that the centre could be provided as part of the existing plans for Bridge Close, we fully support the HICC’s decision to seek an alternative location in Romford as well as their wish to expand their services to their congregation and the wider community.
“We have been engaging with owners and occupiers of South Street for some time to help make this a reality.
“A move requires HICC to raise significant additional funding from the community, in addition to the settlement, based upon compulsory purchase principles for the existing site.”
No formal planning application has been made for the new centre and the scheme is currently in the pre-planning process.
The centre, which works to promote the Muslim faith, initially opposed the scheme and encouraged members to object to the plans for Bridge Close.
Members were asked to submit objections that read: “The loss of the community facility as envisaged in the scheme is unacceptable and will mean that as well as Muslims being unable to meet their religious obligations there will be a loss to the wider community in Romford and across Havering.”
The template described the centre as a “vital facility” for both Muslims and Romford, which was used by worshippers for the religion’s five daily prayers, seven days a week.
It has since agreed to work with the council and has launched a public consultation over what the new centre will involve.
Cllr Williamson added: “We encourage all residents to participate in the upcoming public consultation and share their views in a respectful and tolerant way, which reflects our civilised society.
“We are all part of the same community and we should all have the same rights, be that in how we worship or where we meet.”
John Lester, chairman of Havering’s Interfaith Forum, said: “The proposals will allow [the centre] to offer broader services to their congregation, as well as continuing to serve the local community, as they have done for many years.
“We can achieve so much more together to help improve our community, rather than focusing on what divides us.”
The Bridge Close project forms a key part of Havering Council’s plans to build new homes and amenities in the borough.
Twelve sites have been earmarked for redevelopment, including Romford town centre and parts of Rainham and Hornchurch.
When the scheme was announced last February, Havering only owned about 57% of the land and said it would force the remaining owners to sell through compulsory purchase orders.
An open consultation event will be held at the Brewery Shopping Centre on Thursday, 27th February between 3.30pm and 6.30pm and residents can share their views through the HICC’s website.
