Members of Havering Council’s strategic planning committee will meet to review the plans concerning 222 – 226 South Street later today (December 11).
The latest developer presentation follows member feedback in response to early plans for the site that were discussed in November.
222 – 226 South Street has been identified as a location for a new venue for the Havering Islamic Cultural Centre (HICC) to operate from, after its current premises in Waterloo Road was bought in a compulsory purchase order.
The pre-application stage plans have proposed for the partial demolition of the locally listed Page Calnan building at 222 South Street.
If approved, this would allow for the erection of a rear extension to form an Islamic community centre.
According to details in the meeting preview, it is understood that the facade of the existing building would be retained and would see a Qubba (dome) and minaret (slim tower) added to it.
Members are set to discuss wider plans for the creation of a building formed of three floors to facilitate prayer and religious classes.
At present, it is proposed that a lower ground level would be created as a prayer and community use space, a men’s prayer hall would occupy the ground floor, and a women’s prayer hall and education space at the first floor.
In total, it is estimated that the new HICC venue would accommodate up to 1,200 worshippers.
The existing building entrance facing South Street would be used, with the space between the footway and building boundary to create additional spill out space.
A circulation space for visitors would principally be down the west side of the building, leading to the rear of the site.
Plans allow for the provision of eight disabled driver bays, two of these for electric vehicles, and one loading bay.
These spaces would be accessed from Oldchurch Road.
Havering Council wrote: “The scheme will be progressed through a design led approach.
“At this stage, members’ guidance will be most helpful to incorporate as the various elements are brought together.”
At the previous meeting, pre-application plans received a mixed response with one member “describing it as welcome”, and another encouraging “an artistic approach to the treatment” of the building.
Questions that were raised included pedestrian safety and “safe crossing opportunities”, drop-off management and parking capacity, and noise levels and loudspeakers among others.
