Plans for Islamic Community Centre made (From Bucks Free Press)

Plans for Islamic Community Centre in Chesham made

2:48pm Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News By Andy Carswell

AN ISLAMIC Community Centre could open in Chesham - but residents have raised concerns at increased levels of traffic it could bring.

Plans have been put forward by the Rawdhah Academy, which is currently based in Berkhampstead Road as an educational establishment, to move into a vacant office in Cameron Road.

Members have applied for a change of use for the building they wish to move into, Brae House, and planning permission must be given by Chiltern District Council before any possible move can be made.

But several residents have written to the council to say existing traffic problems at the site would be exacerbated if the plans were approved.

Shirley Miles wrote: "The residents living along the bottom of Cameron Road already have serious problems Parking near their own houses.

"I live in Nalders Road and it is getting increasingly dangerous coming down the hill.

"A community centre suggests to me that there will be increased traffic on an already busy road."

Cameron Road resident Lesley Calmels added: "Parking in Cameron Road is a continual problem - there just aren't enough parking spaces for the residents at the moment by day or by night. Having a community centre in the road would be impossible to manage and unfair to residents already struggling."

Many people living nearby pointed out the junction of Cameron Road and Berkhampstead Road is dangerous as it leads onto a major bus route through the town.

The application to the council states up to 50 children could attend classes at any one time, and a library at the centre would stay open until 8pm each day.

It would provide Islamic education for people of all religions and English classes to recent migrants to Chesham.

A travel plan to encourage attendees to walk or cycle to the centre has been proposed, but residents do not feel this is adequate.

A decision on whether to grant planning permission is likely to be made by the council next month.

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