Glenhaven Mosque: NSW Planning Department delay decision on controversial development

Residents in The Hills could be left in the dark over a NSW Government decision on controversial plans for a mosque for months. Find out when a decision will be made.

Artist impressions of the Glenhaven Mosque at 1 Larapinta Pl, Glenhaven.

• Decision deferred on Glenhaven mosque
• Hills Shire Council raise multiple objections to Glenhaven mosque
• Glenhaven residents hit out over plans for large-scale mosque
• 1000 submissions against Glenhaven mosque

Residents in Glenhaven could be left in the dark over a NSW Government decision on controversial plans for a mosque for at least another three months.

On September 30, hundreds of residents objecting to the Glenhaven mosque proposal gathered alongside supporters of the Hills District Muslim Society at a Sydney Joint Regional Planning Panel determination — expecting to hear whether or not the application for the place of worship had been approved or rejected.

A screenshot from a promotional video calling for support for the Glenhaven Mosque by the Hills District Muslim Society.

However, panel members allowed the applicant to resubmit vital information lacking from the proposal during a deferral period in December, which was extended until February 1.

A NSW Planning Department spokeswoman revealed exclusively to The Times, that a determination on the controversial development application could be delayed until “after July this year” as a lengthy reassessment of the application is underway.

“The assessment of the development application at 1 Larapinta Pl, Glenhaven is still ongoing due to the high number of submissions received as well as the additional work required in the reassessment of the development application,” the spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman said a date for the determination was unknown, until a reassessment of the application was completed by The Hills Shire Council.

Friends of Glenhaven member Rick Allison at the location where the Glenhaven mosque could be built. Picture: AAP Image/ Monique Harmer

The chairman of residents’ group, Friends of Glenhaven, hit out over the lack of clarity regarding the controversial proposal.

“We believe the revisions do not adequately address the issues raised by council, the Planning Panel nor the community,” he said.

“This development application has now been on the table for over twelve months and yet there still has been no decision.

“We now understand that the Planning Panel won’t be reviewing this DA until July — the delay to the Glenhaven community is unfair and unacceptable.”

Artist impressions of the Glenhaven Mosque at 1 Larapinta Pl, Glenhaven.

The Hills District Muslim Society are calling for the approval of a 250 person mosque off Glenhaven Rd, which would also accommodate ‘special services’ with increased patrons during several occasions during the year.

A total of 1030 submissions were made before the JRPP determination meeting on September 30, however, The Hills Shire Council has given residents and community groups the opportunity to continue to make submissions following the deferral by panel members.

Among the objections to the mosque was a submission from the council, which detailed 17 reasons why the development should be rejected.

Artist impressions of inside Glenhaven Mosque which would include four classrooms and prayer space.

The objections supported residents’ concerns around issues raised in regards to the proposal, including the fact that the development did not fit the nature of the suburb, should be proposed for a business or industrial precinct, increased the level of noise in the suburb, provided a lack of parking and would result in increased traffic congestion.

A council spokeswoman said the applicant submitted amended plans to council staff on February 1, before residents and objectors were notified.

“A large number of submissions for and against have been received to the amended application,” she said.

“Council is currently assessing the additional information and matters raised in the submissions.

“A report will be prepared and reported to the Sydney Central City Planning Panel once an assessment has been finalised.”

The Hills District Muslim Society was contacted for comment.