Mosque unveils plans to build community centre

A mosque that has been seeking to buy a council-owned site has unveiled its plan to build a community centre on the land.

Peterborough City Council want to sell the New England Complex as part of plans to reduce its debts and its cabinet selected a preferred bidder in December for the land and a final decision to sell the site was made in February.

The Masjid Khadijah mosque identified itself as the successful bidder and said its proposal to build the Peterborough Unity Centre would provide facilities for the whole community.

The New England Complex houses a Hindu temple, which has secured a High Court injunction to temporarily halt the site's sale after its bid was unsuccessful.

Plans for the multi-use centre included purpose-built prayer rooms and community facilities, such as for a food bank, community kitchen, youth clubs and counselling services.

The mosque said it hoped to create partnerships with local charities and public organisations to use the site.

There would also be space for community events and meetings.

The mosque said in a statement on its website: "Our focus remains on community benefit, responsible investment and social cohesion."

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