Plan to turn former ambulance station into mosque withdrawn after 1,600 objections

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Objectors cited traffic congestion, insufficient parking and noise among the highest priority concerns

A plan to turn a disused ambulance station into a mosque has been pulled after strong opposition from local residents, as 1,600 submitted objections to the scheme.

Belmont and Sutton Muslim Assembly (BASMA) eyed the site on Dorset Road in Sutton, and submitted a planning application to Sutton Council earlier this year.

A total of 1,631 objections emerged from members of the public, citing traffic congestion, insufficient parking and noise among the highest priority concerns.

In spite of the backlash, 1,079 supportive representations were also lodged with the council – although BASMA chose to withdraw the application rather than allow it to proceed to a formal determination.

As of Tuesday, the community group had not lodged an appeal, leaving the future of the vacant single-storey building uncertain.

Under the proposals, the existing single-storey structure would have been largely kept intact, with a modest extension providing a dedicated women's prayer and multi-use space, accessible toilets, ablution facilities and a kitchen.

The former ambulance garage was earmarked for conversion into a male prayer hall, with additional rooms set aside for a multi-purpose hall, an imam's office and other community functions.

BASMA envisaged the centre operating every day of the week, with community programming scheduled between 7am and 10pm, with prayers running as late as 11pm.

The planned timetable encompassed daily and Friday congregational prayers, alongside homework and educational support clubs for young people.

Further activities outlined in the application included women's fitness and wellbeing classes, exercise programmes for men and young people, counselling and bereavement services, and social gatherings such as seniors' lunch clubs and walking groups.

Parking proved the single most contentious issue among those who opposed the scheme.

One objector noted that the plans indicated capacity for roughly 240 to 250 visitors, but provided just 14 on-site parking spaces, warning: "It is highly likely that parking will overflow onto the surrounding residential streets."

Others cautioned overspill parking could affect nearby Holland Avenue and Avenue Road, particularly during peak periods such as Ramadan and other religious occasions.

Existing congestion around school drop-off and collection times was another recurring theme, with one resident arguing the development would "cause more pollution, reduce road safety and add to noise levels".

One objector voiced fears heightened traffic and parking difficulties could put "young children's safety at risk".

While another suggested the site would be better suited as a youth and sports centre, insisting Sutton already had sufficient places of worship for all faiths.

On the flip side, one backer highlighted the absence of a nearby mosque or Islamic place of worship adequate for the local Muslim community, adding that repurposing the existing building would offer "an accessible facility for prayer and community activities without the need for complete new construction".

Another supporter described the project as "much needed" for a growing local population, adding that there was "not enough capacity in other places of worship which are overflowing in Sutton".

BASMA itself contended Belmont Ward contains a proportionally larger Muslim population than the borough as a whole and the community expanded in recent years.

The group currently rents St John's Community Hall for Friday prayers, some seven minutes' walk from the proposed site – which they say has restricted scheduling clashes and lacks purpose-built facilities for women.

With the application now withdrawn, Sutton Council will not make a formal decision on the proposal in its current form.

The Dorset Road site sits roughly 500 metres from Belmont station and is accessible via the S2 and S4 bus routes – connections BASMA had pointed to as evidence for the location being well served by public transport.

The group had argued a permanent local hub would spare residents lengthy journeys to more distant mosques, relieve pressure on existing centres, and deliver more inclusive provision for women, families, elderly residents and disabled people.

Whether BASMA intends to submit a revised application addressing the concerns raised by objectors remains to be seen, with neither the organisation nor the council indicating any further action at this stage.