LONDON, ENGLAND, April 1, 2013 (North London Today): Plans to build a new Hindu temple with in Edmonton have sparked concerns among residents living near the site. Managers of the Nagapooshani Ambaal, a Hindu temple, in Church Lane, Edmonton, have applied for planning permission to Enfield Council to demolish the existing building and build a new place of worship and community hall.
The plans, which the temple representatives say will provide their community with a modern, soundproof building, also include the erection of the 16-metre tower, a number of new homes, a meeting area, a shop and a computer room. The application to demolish the temple, which was converted from a warehouse ten years ago, was submitted to the council in September.
But a group of people living nearby say the plans would be out of character with other buildings in the area and would lead to traffic congestion. “The situation with the temple has been going on for about eight years. We have a huge problem with parking in the area as a result of people visiting. “Whatever the outcome of the planning application, we all live in the same community. There is no animosity between us and this has nothing to do with religion or creed. It’s not a personal attack.”
About 130 people have signed a petition opposing the plans. On the other hand, temple secretary Arumugam Murugesu said that a modern building was needed and the new facilities would be of benefit to the wider community. He told the Advertiser: “We are not expanding the temple, we simply want to modernise our facilities and soundproof them. This is what the proposals are for.”