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03
Feb 2022
Harrogate district church leaders back mosque
Church leaders in the Harrogate district have shown their support for a planned mosque in the town.
Twenty-two leaders have signed a joint statement backing the plans, saying the “time is right” for a place of worship for Muslims.
Signatories include the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.
Harrogate Islamic Association has lodged plans to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the former Home Guard Club into a place of worship.
The joint statement from church leaders says:
Read more:
- Harrogate Islamic Association hopes to see off anti-mosque campaign
- Harrogate’s first Mosque could open at former Home Guard club
So far, the application has received 135 public comments - 72 in support and 59 objecting.
Traffic and parking concerns
The objections highlight concerns about traffic, parking and the fact that the building is a non-designated heritage asset.
Households across Harrogate have reported receiving anonymous leaflets through their doors encouraging them to oppose the plans with a guide on how to word the objection.
Supporters dispute the concerns. They say there is enough parking nearby, particularly as there is a multi-storey car park on Tower Street, and that it would be good to see the building brought back into use.
HIA was established in 2011 and has been looking for a permanent place to convert into a mosque for years. Other attempts to find a home have fallen through.
Around 100 worshippers currently meet in the Quakers’ Friends Meeting House on Queen Parade.
Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.
Church leaders who have signed the statement are:
- Revd Dr Alan Garrow
- Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley
- Revd Ben Askew
- David Wynn James
- Revd Simon Dowson
- Revd Lesley Taylor
- Revd Sally Pickering
- Revd Matthew Evans
- Pastors Nik and Maggie Gee
- Revd Alan Crump
- Revd Laura Martin
- Adam Price
- Fr Gary Waddington
- Revd Tim Hurren
- Revd David Arblaster
- Revd Kim Mason
- Revd Chris Clayton
- Revd Stroma McDermott
- Revd Ben Clowes
- Revd Phil Carman
- Revd John Smith
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