On January 27th 2020 the Chelmsford Muslim Society were advised by Chelmsford City Council that no planning permission was held by the Hamptons Sports and Leisure Club to allow it's use as a Place of Worship.

On July 31st 2020 the Chelmsford Muslim Society began to use the Hamptons Sports and Leisure Club for mass congregational worship, a deliberate and wilful breach of planning control , read more here. The Chelmsford Muslim Society own the Hamptons Sports and Leisure Club and the business known as Hampton Sports and Leisure Ltd, having completed the purchase on 14th Febuary 2020.

The Planning Department have declined to issue enforcement action against the Chelmsford Muslim Society, a failure on their part to maintain the integrity of the planning system and inspire public confidence. This has left the whole situation in limbo, and has raised tensions in the surrounding area leading to a visible police presence for Friday prayers.

Although the Planning Department advised CMS on 22nd September 2020 that a formal planning application for change of use will be required to use the building as a Place of Worship, no timeframe or deadline has been specified, therefore they are under no obligation to apply. Without enforcement, this breach of planning control will be allowed to just run and run.

We call upon Stephen Robinson, Leader of Chelmsford City Council to instruct the Planning Department to commence enforcement proceedings against the Chelmsford Muslim Society, and restore public confidence in the planning system.

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