Community asks council are Sydney mosque objections invalid?
MORE than 1000 submissions against a development application for a mosque in Glenhaven could now be invalid after the applicants submitted a modified proposal for the place of worship.
Hills Shire
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MORE than 1000 submissions against a development application for a mosque in Glenhaven could now be invalid after the applicants submitted a modified proposal for the place of worship.
Representatives of the Friends of Glenhaven community group say they are furious and convinced they have been cheated, after the Hills District Muslim Society modified its proposal to the Hills Shire Council for a 400 place Mosque at 1 Larapinta Pl, Glenhaven this month.
The community group, who make up hundreds of residents across Glenhaven, are concerned that some submissions against the proposed development are now void, and are calling on the council to clarify whether the concerns of residents will now need to be resubmitted.
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Community group representative Rick Allison said the reapplication came just hours after a community group meeting between residents and Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne, councillors and Castle Hill state Liberal MP Ray Williams earlier this month.
“We want to know for certain whether our submissions are now null and void,” Mr Allison told the Times.
“We are encouraging all residents to resubmit to the proposal and ensure your voices are still heard on a proposal that will affect everyone.”
Spokesman Michael Albrecht said the Friends of Glenhaven raised concerns with the modified proposal, which will see a dramatic reduction in the amount of car spaces provided on the site, among several modifications.
The original proposal calls for the approval of the construction of 116 car spaces, a main prayer hall and meeting room, two counselling rooms, a child minding area, wash rooms, a caretaker residence, four classrooms, an administration office and a secondary prayer hall.
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The amended plans reduced the proposal to include 50 car spaces, as well as the inclusion of two entrance atriums, a reception area and a shoe store.
“We have raised concerns around the fact that there is a reduced amount of parking on the site, because this will mean that local roads will be flooded with cars during prayer,” Mr Albrecht said.
“A lot of the residents were unaware that this happened the day after the community meeting.
“The resounding stance from the wider community is that this is an inappropriate development for this location.”
A Hills Shire Council spokeswoman said although the submissions remain valid, it encouraged residents to continue to make submissions over the proposal.