Residents living in the Tattenhoe area of Milton Keynes have expressed anger after plans for a new Temple and Community Hall were given the green light.
Proposed plans for a new Temple and Community Hall east of St Agnes Way in Tattenhoe, have been approved by the Planning Committee on Milton Keynes City Council.
The Temple and Community Hall, which has been given the green light for land next to Tattenhoe Pavilion, will be used for day to day worship, weddings and festivals.
Back in 2020, plans for the temple were refused following passionate debate with councillors voting to refuse the plan because they believe the number of people attending the temple would have a negative impact on the residential area.
At last night's meeting, residents spoke in objection of the plans, alongside all three Tattenhoe ward councillors, Cllr Shazna Muzammil, Cllr Manish Verma and Cllr James Lancaster.
Concerned residents also filled out the civic centre with live streaming taking place in the corridor, with the committee voting by ten votes to one for approval of the plans.
One Councillor, Cllr Uroy Clarke said: "The detrimental that this will put onto us as a council if we went down the line of objecting it, that's quite worrying and scary, so I would agree that I will be in favour for this application."
While Councillor Ansar Hussain added: "I really can't see anything that would really be detrimental in allowing that to go through," Councillor Ansar Hussain added.
The SHITAL group, who submitted the plans, agreed to conditions such as limiting wedding guest numbers and the number of festivals that will take place.
The conditions will be set for 12 months
Residents have since taken to social media to express their anger over the approval. ‘Time to leave Tattenhoe me thinks,' one wrote.
While another added: 'I'm beyond words'
Councillor Shazna Muzammil has apologised to residents this morning, stating that she keeps thinking 'what more' could have been done. The councillor commented on a post saying: "I'm really really sorry. Keep thinking of what more we could have done. What did we miss? What the heck happened? Strong objections all around. Valid points were raised to consider. I'm truly very very sorry."
