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A local Labour councillor said it was 'too easy to avoid enforcement action'
A council row has erupted after a burial site for Korans has been deemed illegal in West Yorkshire.
Residents of Sowerby Bridge, near Halifax, reported seeing copies of the Koran being buried near a white monument, constructed of nine tall pillars on a marble base.
The site is now the subject of a council enforcement order requiring all materials to be removed.
Videos were shared by Rest Gardens, a firm that collects worn-out or damaged Korans and provides them with Islamic burials, which avoids having them disposed of along with other common waste.
The Environment Agency has called for an end to these “illegal” burials.
Documents seen by The Telegraph describe how the council “considers that the harm caused to the character and appearance of the area by the unauthorised development” and that it is “expedient” to issue an enforcement notice.
The enforcement notice, which was served earlier this year, reads: “The steps required by the notice in respect to the columns and marble slab structure elements of the structure are considered necessary and proportionate to remedy the identified planning harm."
The columns and marble slab structure are situated in a prominent location within the site and are visible from outside the site, including from surrounding land and public vantage points.
“As such, they form part of the public-facing appearance of the development and have a material influence on its overall visual impact.”
An appeal has been lodged against the enforcement notice and is set to be considered by the planning inspectorate.
A petition to have the structure removed has reached over 1,220 signatures.
Labour councillor for Sowerby Bridge, Adam Wilkinson, has said that the inspectorate has yet to “formally open” the appeal.
He said: “I feel the frustration from residents who feel the planning rules are not being adhered too. I live locally; nobody wants an eyesore or an alleged illegal waste site nearby.
“I am aware of worries from residents about the Korans being buried and the worry that an illegal burial may have taken place.
“It’s clear people are currently finding it too easy to avoid enforcement action – I welcome the Government’s moves to get a firmer grip of problem waste sites.”
An Environment Agency spokesman told The Telegraph: “Illegal waste activities of any kind are a blight on local communities and we are supporting the local council to tackle reports of fly tipping at this site.
“We have been clear that these activities are not allowed under waste-management legislation and should stop immediately.
“We are cracking down on waste criminals, have stepped up enforcement action with our 10-point plan and want to make it clear that anyone found flouting the law will be held accountable.”
The resident group for Sowerby Bridge wrote: “This petition is not directed against any religion, faith, or community. We respect the right of all people to practice their beliefs lawfully.
“Our concern is that significant changes to land use and development should comply with the same planning and environmental standards that apply to everyone.”
Mohammed Khorshid, director of Rest Gardens, and occupant of the site, says that the structure has been in place for more then five years, and he said: “The platform is [an] area we use to take breaks meet and arrange our gardening activities whilst on the site as a meeting point.
“After being labelled as immigrants coming on a boat and facing racial attacks, we decided to place poles with British flags to educate the haters that we’re British, not migrants who have arrived on a boat.”
A spokesman for residents in the area said that Mr Khorshid had “stretched the tolerance of the local community to breaking point over the years” by “dumping and burying” waste and materials, including Korans.
“We feel this has no purpose or alignment to his intended use of allotments, the existing landscape or residential community.
"It is an eyesore. Regulations are ignored. No planning permission sought. Consultations non existent.”
A Calderdale council spokesman said: “We are aware of the structure. As the Council is actively involved in a planning enforcement process at present, including the serving of a planning enforcement notice, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
