Photo: kubicki.me
LEAMINGTON SPA, UK—Leamington & Warwick Gurdwara Sahib have submitted planning permission for a new ‘Community, Sports and Cultural Centre’ on the current Gurdwara site where the former Gurdwara building and Sikh Community Centre is situated.
The planning permission (planning reference no.: W/15/1155) is for building a permanent Sikh Community, Sports and Cultural Centre in place of the existing building that were previously scheduled for demolition.
The Council had granted temporary permission for the former Gurdwara building to be used, however the permission has now come to an end. Currently, the Gurdwara carpark is fully used and any additional use of the site would have impact on the carparking.
To view and make a comment on the planning permission, view link
These buildings have been in the past at the centre of much controversy, with distrust amongst some members of the local and wider Sikh community with the management of the Gurdwara as to their real intention of using these buildings.
There are fears that in the name of a ‘Community Sports and Cultural Centre’, wedding receptions and parties will be held with people serving and consuming alcohol and meat, as well as having dancing and music, which is against Sikh tenants and is strictly prohibited on any Gurdwara owned property.
Although many a times the Gurdwara management committee of Leamington & Warwick Gurdwara have attempted to reassure the Sikh community that no alcohol or meat would be allowed on the site or new Sikh Community Centre, many believe the management committee would make a U-turn once planning permission would get passed.
Last year, 5 March 2014, Sikh24 reported on Leamington & Warwick Gurdwara management committee’s propsal for a “bar” to the Local Council (planning application reference no: W/14/0164). On 4 February 2014, the Sikh Cultural and Sports Community Centre Committee and the Trustees of Gurdwara Sahib had submitted a proposal for a new community centre that included a ‘bar’ that would be open 7 days a week to the local Warwick District Council. After heavy criticism from Sikhs across the country, the Gurdwara retracted their planning permission for a “bar” and claimed that it was not an alcohol bar but a “sandwich” and “soft-drinks” bar. However, criticism followed as concerned Sikhs questioned why someone would want to buy a sandwich from a “bar” at 11pm in the evening.
