Madrassa refusal upheld

OLDHAM Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for an Islamic teaching centre in Hollins has been backed by the Planning Inspectorate.

It rejected an appeal by Mr Zubair Ahmed, who wanted to turn a house in Hollins Street into a madrassa.

Oldham Planning Department rejected the application after residents voiced concern that such a change of use for the house would generate more traffic and cause noise and disturbance.

They collected a 100-plus name petition and submitted 121 letters of objection.

Councillor Jean Stretton supported the decision to refuse the application and said she would object to any further applications on that property for anything other than housing.

Hollins Road residents reported that a couple who had been renting the property, had to move out when they found they were unable to claim housing benefit for the property — as it had already been registered as a madrassa. Another family has since moved into the property.

A council spokesman said: “The house in Hollins Road currently has a class C exemption which entitles the liable person to up to six months exemption from council tax providing the property remains empty and unfurnished followed by the full charge for as long as it remains in this state.

“Correspondence has been received from the taxpayers to notify us that the property is registered as a charity but no amendments have been made to the council-tax bill as it is currently being used as a private dwelling.

“This is currently being investigated further.”

A charity commission spokeswoman said that the charity simply needed contact details and did not need to run from the registered address.

The Chronicle was unable to contact Mr Ahmed.