Granville: Mosque at 2C Factory St refused in Land and Environment Court

A western Sydney mayor has welcomed a court’s ruling on plans for a 300-person mosque because it is for “the greater betterment’’ of the community.

An artist’s impression of the mosque that was proposed for Granville.

Plans for another mosque at Granville have been dumped after Cumberland Council won an appeal against the development in the Land and Environment Court.

AA Noor first submitted the development application for the construction of the mosque for 300 worshippers at 2C Factory St in 2016.

It was refused in 2019 before the court dismissed the appeal in January, citing traffic and noise complaints.

Cumberland Council contended that residents would be exposed to unreasonable noise and an influx of cars on the street.

The proposal included a double-storey, 218-space carpark but a groundswell of residents objected to the plans, fearing future growth in attendee numbers would have an adverse impact on their homes.

Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou is pleased with the Land and Environment Court’s decision. Picture: John Appleyard

The mosque proposed to run in an industrial area between 8am and 10pm Monday to Saturday, and between 3pm and 10pm on Sunday.

The plan generated 73 objections and 46 supporters.

Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou welcomed the Land and Environment Court’s decision as was a win for residents.

“It’s a ruling that serves the greater betterment for the Granville community and sets the standard for Cumberland City’’ he said.

“It’s simple really, residents don’t need to be subjected to noisy streets and congested roads.”

However, mosque spokesman Enayat Hassib said the decision was disappointing.

He said his community had been worshipping locally for 20 years and were good neighbours at their previous centres such as their present site at Cowper St, Granville, where up to 100 people attend.

“We didn’t have a single complaint,’’ he said.

Mr Hassib said plans were on their way to being approved under Parramatta Council when the area was in an industrial zone but the rezoning meant the place of worship was now in a high density residential precinct.

“It’s really disappointing to everyone because we’ve been working on this project for a very long time,’’ Mr Hassib said.