Midlothian mosque wins flat appeal
The owners of a Midlothian mosque have won their fight to turn it into flats after a change in attendance patterns following the Covid pandemic.
The Jafaria Foundation had applied for a change of use for the mosque, which occupies the first floor of a building on Dalkeith's Easthouses Road, into private dwellings.
However Midlothian Council planners rejected the proposal for the building which is above a hot food takeaway and workshop amid concern new tenants would complain about the businesses below.
A meeting of the council's Local Review Body today overturned the decision saying the flats would make a good addition to the street but they urged developers to ensure that neighbouring businesses are mentioned in marketing material in the future.
Councillor Willie McEwan told the review body that his concern would be that despite it being obvious that the flats were above a takeaway with a workshop underneath and a miners welfare club across the road, complaints would come back to council.
He said: 'Although it is pretty clear the environment these homes are in, it would be good to have a statement in the missives clarifying that there is a fast food shop and licensed club across the road so there is an environmental impact on where they are living.'
Councillors were told that they were not able to enforce a condition ensuring people moving into the properties were aware of the surroundings but could pass on their request that it is highlighted when the flats are marketed to the developers.
Applying for permission to create the flats, agents for the Foundation said: 'Following changes to attendance pattens after the Covid pandemic the Jafaria Foundation are no longer able to continue with sustainable use of 43 Easthouses Road as a mosque and have, therefore, considered alternative viable options to ensure the buildings continued use, rather than leaving it to fall into disrepair.
'Use of the building as a commercial, community or retail operation have been considered discounted due to varying reasons'
Councillor Connor McManus, on the review body, moved a motion supporting their appeal telling fellow councillors 'I quite likes this development, it is making use of an underused space.'
The review body unanimously supported the appeal granting permission for the flats.
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
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