Protests staged over faith group plan for building in Thurnby Lodge, Leicester
A series of late-night protests have been staged against a faith group's plan to convert a disused Scout hut in Leicester into a community centre.
Dozens of police have been stationed in Thurnby Lodge estate for the past few nights to oversee the peaceful demonstrations, which at their height have attracted up to 150 people.
Residents said they were angry the former Scout hut in Nursery Road looked likely to become a community centre operated by Islamic charity the As-Salaam Trust.
They would like the building, which has been empty for several years, to be developed for the wider community.
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They are also concerned about extra traffic the centre might create.
Opponents have held their protests outside the estate's main community centre, in Thurncourt Road, where As-Salaam's members have been meeting for prayers for the past two-and-a-half years.
They said the city council had not asked them for their views on the future use of the Scout hut.
Some support a proposal to set up a boxing club in the building.
Maxine Williams, manager of the Stirrup Cup pub, has been taking part in the demonstrations.
She said: "People are protesting because they feel that they have not been consulted and that the council has handed the keys to the Scout hut to As-Salaam.
"There is a lot of concern about the amount of traffic that it will bring and that people's peace will be shattered."
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby was due to meet a group of residents today.
He said: "As-Salaam has been meeting in the area for some time and was looking for a permanent home.
"If the people who are interested in opening a boxing club can establish themselves, we will help them find suitable premises.
"However, our view was they were a long way from being in a position to take this building on."
Mohammed Lockhat, As-Salaam's imam, said: "If we could sit down together and talk, we would be able to understand each other better.
"People have said they are concerned about traffic, but most of the people would be walking to the Scout hut because they live here."
The Scout Association told the city council in September last year that it wanted to end its lease of the hut.
The council said it then contacted more than 100 community groups which had told it they were looking for premises.
Of the groups that expressed an interest, As Salaam was the only one that could meet the lease criteria agreed with the Scout Association, the council said in a leaflet which was delivered to homes on the estate last week.
A police spokeswoman said: "The police have a legal duty to facilitate a peaceful protest and have no powers to stop a demonstration."
Comments
by Neil0123
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 8:21PM
“There is an easy way to ensure they get a boxing club... Call it the 'SPS Boxing Arena' OR the 'Lord Keith of Vaz centre for pugilistic excellence' !!”
by ladlester
Saturday, August 18 2012, 12:01AM
“Why is it just because its going to muslims who have decided to make it a prayer room everyone is going mad and protesting against them. If it was a pub or club would you protest ? A mosque does not attract trouble or bad vibes. A pub or club does attract bad vibes and trouble, loads of it. If you want to protest why dont you all go on welford road outside LCC headqaurters and do it. Also why is it that the people of thurnby lodge are protesting ? . is it that you cant come out in the open and say it that you lot are protesting because its a prayer room by muslims? if it aint anything to do with muslims then why did ndick griffin turn up ?.”
by wanlip
Friday, August 17 2012, 7:43AM
“The decision has been made already by emporer pete and his Muppets,sometime past.Forget about councillors that they represent voters,these Muppets represent themselves.Pocket stuffers.”
by Lynnieheal
Thursday, August 16 2012, 10:30PM
“all I see is GREED and CORRUPTIONS going on”
by mam35
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 11:14PM
“Just out of interest..please tell me what you were all hoping it would be used for?? The other organisations have already openly said they pulled out as they couldn't afford it...who or what is it you were protesting for? Or would you have preferred a derelict building rather then it being put to use?”
by MacMonkey74
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 11:10PM
“@untface
So you did have a point to make and hallelujah, you have now made it. Certainly makes it a lot more interesting now that you've 'shared' but what I don't understand is why be cryptic in the first place?
What you have done is link Councillor Osman to Robert Wann and Robert Wann to the area. I didn't know that and now I do so thankyou. That's all you've done though, so you can be as patient a you like waiting for someone to conclusively prove you wrong but I bet I'll be waiting longer for you to conclusively prove that your are right and remember I'm not the one accusing anyone of anything so the burden of proof falls on you.
As for your comment about my 'smear tactics', what on earth are you on about. I wrote what I wrote to get a response that might actually contain something that adds to the debate and hey presto that's what happend. Just make straightforward contributions and you'll be treated appropriately by the reasonable users on here.”
by untface
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 8:10PM
“@macmonkey74
The islamic religion and it's constant battle with secularism has to be difficult with such ancient values. Thank god, we are still free to question the motives of the men with the whip.
Councillor Osman, has no doubt been playing with one of the feathers in his new cap, and already looking for expansion. Having already experienced the running of a community centre first hand (very close ties with the HCA), of which does wonders for asylum seekers and immigration issues I noted. Also he happens to frequently scratch the back of his bestest friend the missing Councillor robert wann who currently is positioned perfectly in thurnby lodge of all places.
A little too close to home or maybe my paranoia. I am very sorry though, I must have thought some of you would have at least had the idea to research, before jumping head first into smear tactics. I always over-estimate people.
I will be waiting patiently for someone to conclusively prove me wrong.
@likeitalot
Racism is when you make defamatory remarks about a certain race(ethnicity/phenotype), Islam (muslim) isn't a race/ethnicity/phenotype or anything to do with genetics in the slightest, it's a religion my friend.”
by garyb2011
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 8:00PM
“Probably at an inclusivity meeting or choosing the flowers for Jubilee Park (it's all about prioirities y'know)”
by Cadeaux
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 7:07PM
“I have also found that after the meeting on the 23/07/12 was postponed due to capacity issues, residents were informed that a further meeting would take place within the next 2 weeks.
A number of residents then received a letter dated 1/08/12 implying that As-salaam had been granted the lease.
To me this seems extremely cowardly, to not discuss this with residents in person and to assume that a letter will make it all go away!
The LCC and local councillor have brought this on themselves, they have put As-salaam and the residents of thurnby lodge in a situation that could have been easily avoided. Where are they now? They caused this and they should fix it!!”
by Cadeaux
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 6:27PM
“Instead of arguing about racism and religion has anyone bothered to do any research on this matter?
I have and this is what I have found:
- The 55th scout hut was in use until September 2011 by a brass band and group for learning disabilities.
After looking on the LCC website at Thurncourt wards Tenants and residents meetings...where minutes are recorded...
- 24/01/12- postponed
-30/01/12- no mention of scout hut.
-19/03/12- First mention of scout hut...in these minutes all is confirmed regarding the scouts giving up the lease, 3 interested parties and As-salaams interest. A petition is handing in from the residents of Thurnby Lodge and states views of local residents will be given full consideration.
The next available meeting was then:
- 16/07/12- MOVED
-23/07/12-POSTPONED- future use of the scout hut was written on the agenda... Cancelled due to being beyond capacity on building regulations. Was due to take place within the next 2 weeks.
- no future meeting organised by Councillors.
The next available opportunity was the tenants and residents meeting ( first Friday in every month)
-03/08/12- CANCELLED"........
03/08/12- First protest takes place.
So from what I can see and keeping religion and racism out of it the council hasn't exactly been forthcoming.
All of this information is available for those who can take a step back and research the facts.”