Local Residents Liaison Group for the BMHC Development
Our group was formed as an organic response to development proposals shared at an event at the British Muslim Heritage Centre in November 2021. The group consists of local Whalley Range residents who have concerns about the negative impact that possible over-development of the College Road site will have on our local environment and the quality of human and animal life in the area.
We are a multi-faith, multi-racial group that includes users and non-users of the current BMHC centre. Many of us have actively chosen to live in Whalley Range because of the diversity and tolerant attitudes of Whalley Range people. We have also chosen to live here because we appreciate the benefits of the conservation area in Whalley Range where overdevelopment has historically been controlled and the local ecology, tree population and wildlife have been protected for many decades.
Some of us are direct neighbours adjacent to the site of the British Muslim Heritage Centre and have experienced unacceptable noise, traffic disruption and air pollution resulting from current activities at the centre.
We recognise the value of BMHC to regional and local Muslim and non-Muslim communities, and that the BMHC faces significant financial demands from the heavy maintenance costs of preserving the Grade 2* listed building. We understand that BMHC is looking to the development of the College Road site as a means of meeting these financial demands. Our goal as a local residents’ group is to work with BMHC towards a sustainable and appropriate development of the College Road site which balances BMHC’s aspirations at the same time as it enhances the unique character of the Whalley Range conservation area.
We believe we are important stakeholders in our local area, the place where we live – and should be recognised as such by local government, local businesses and other organisations.
We believe that planning decisions should be transparent and accountable and should enhance the health and wellbeing of local residents. So we are here to collaborate and ensure our voices are heard.
We are an informal group of about 200 people who have a steering committee of about 18 people. You can contact us by emailing sustainwr@gmail.com, but please allow 48 hours for a response as we are all volunteers.
Please see the link below to the 21/06/2023 meeting minutes from last meeting with the BMHC with regards to the proposed planning/redevelopment of site on College Road, Whalley Range.
Agreed Minutes for BMHC_RBDLG meeting 21-06-2023