A DECISION on plans for an Islamic Community Centre in Bracknell has been delayed as council chiefs aim to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Dozens of residents were expected to watch Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee approve the long-running proposal at a meeting on Thursday, March 19.
In line with government advice, council bosses have postponed the committee meeting amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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Hundreds of residents commented in favour of and against the proposal, which could see the centre open in an empty unit at Waterside Park on Cookham Road.
As more than five objections were received this meant the ultimate decision would have been made by elected councillors at a public meeting, rather than through planning officers behind-closed-doors.
This comes as a blow for Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society (BICS), whose leaders originally envisaged the centre opening in October 2019, according to a plan outlining their hopes for the site.
The meeting will be rescheduled but no decision has been made on when this will be.
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Other planning applications set to be given the go-ahead tomorrow night included a proposal for 22 homes on green belt land in Ascot, four new homes in Bracknell and a barn conversion which would have seen six new dwellings built in Ascot.
BFC leaders have also taken action to shut down The Look Out’s hands-on science exhibits to the general public, although schools which pre-booked sessions will still be able to visit the discovery centre.
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