Latest news with #JafariaFoundation
Edinburgh Reporter
23-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
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 Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
23-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Midlothian mosque wins appeal over plans to turn it into flats
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info 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. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community hereand get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Edinburgh Reporter
16-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Appeal after planners refused to let mosque be turned into flats
A bid to turn a Midlothian mosque above a takeaway into two residential flats has been rejected by planners. 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, after changes to attendance patterns following the Covid pandemic. However Midlothian Council planners rejected the proposal saying it could have an impact on the future of the established businesses, including the hot food takeaway, as residents were impacted by noise and smell. The Foundation has now lodged an appeal against the decision arguing that it allows the building to be kept in use instead of falling into disrepair and tackles issues of housing for the area. Planners had said that while council policy refused to allow a hot food takeaway to be built next to residential housing because of the impact on amenity, it worked the opposed way as well. Refusing planning permission they said: 'It has not been demonstrated that the proposed development will achieve an acceptable level of residential amenity for future occupiers in terms of noise, outlook, and odour. 'It has not been demonstrated the proposed development would ensure that the function of established operations will not be adversely affected.' 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' The appeal will be considered by the local authority's Local Review Body at a meeting later this month. By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
16-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Plans to turn Midlothian mosque above a takeaway into flats rejected
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A bid to turn a Midlothian mosque above a takeaway into two residential flats has been rejected by planners. 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, after changes to attendance patterns following the Covid pandemic. However Midlothian Council planners rejected the proposal saying it could have an impact on the future of the established businesses, including the hot food takeaway, as residents were impacted by noise and smell. The Foundation has now lodged an appeal against the decision arguing that it allows the building to be kept in use instead of falling into disrepair and tackles issues of housing for the area. Planners had said that while council policy refused to allow a hot food takeaway to be built next to residential housing because of the impact on amenity, it worked the opposed way as well. Refusing planning permission they said: "It has not been demonstrated that the proposed development will achieve an acceptable level of residential amenity for future occupiers in terms of noise, outlook, and odour. "It has not been demonstrated the proposed development would ensure that the function of established operations will not be adversely affected." 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" The appeal will be considered by the local authority's Local Review Body at a meeting later this month.
