IT’S decision time for plans to transform a former car wash near Slough town centre into a religious school.
The Slough Islamic Trust wants to redevelop the site on 79-83 Uxbridge Road, which used to host a petrol station, into a community and educational facility to be used as a ‘support service’ for the nearby Mosque.
The building will be up to four-storeys in height and will accommodate four classrooms, communal teaching spaces, ancillary breakout spaces, toilets, and a small kitchenette.
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Slough councillors on the planning committee will convene on Wednesday, October 13, to decide the application’s fate.
According to a planning statement, the proposal will “significantly improve” the Mosque’s services offered to the community, which has grown “considerably” over the years.
In the planning officer’s report, they state: “Following discussions with the applicant it has been advised that the Mosque is used more greatly than it used to be and notable there is an increased requirement for funerals which has resulted in compromised space for the education aspect of the mosque and the proposal will provide that facility.”
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About 80 people are expected to be in the facility if plans are approved with the classrooms being used by between six to 12 people with up to 18 people in the larger communal teaching spaces.
Four to six teachers will be employed if the scheme is given the green light.
Forty-six car parking spaces are proposed and will provide an “overflow” of spaces for the Mosque on Diamond Road. Eight cycle stands, which can fit 16 bicycles, are also proposed.
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