Locals Consulted over Alternative Uses for 'Olympics Mega-Mosque' site at West Ham

Three options offered to residents at Have-Your-Say event organised by opposition campaign group

A children's entertainer - and a bouncy castle - will greet Newham residents this weekend at a local consultation about the controversial mega-mosque proposed for West Ham, close to the site of the 2012 Olympic stadium. The Have-Your-Say event is being organised by a campaign group who oppose the mosque, led by Cllr Alan Craig Leader of the Opposition on Newham Council, who has invited Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales and other key decision-makers and planners (see attached letter to Boris Johnson).

"We are holding this family-friendly event in order to offer local residents the hope of alternative and better uses for the site than this massive mosque. We have had three options drawn up by urban planners Howard Sharp & Partners, including a flagship mixed-use proposal of homes, shops and community facilities for the site that could kick-start sustainable regeneration of the wider area around West Ham station. 

"We want to ask local people what they think and empower them to express their views," said Cllr Craig who is Leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance. "They have been kept in the dark both by Newham Council and by the Islamic group behind the mega-mosque Tablighi Jamaat. If it goes ahead the mosque would massively impact locals' lives, so we are encouraging them to have a look at viable alternatives and give their opinions."

The consultation event is open to the public and will take place at Tom and Jerry's Restaurant, 1 Leywick Street, West Ham, E15, between 10am and 2pm this Saturday, 20th June.

The website of the mega-mosque opposition campaign is at www.MegaMosqueNoThanks.com

From Cllr Alan Craig, Newham Council Opposition Leader