British Muslim Heritage Centre given longer deferral to deal with ‘temporary’ marquee

A controversial events marquee at the British Muslim Heritage Centre in Whalley Range has been allowed to stay and expand, despite complaints from neighbours and concerns about its impact on a Grade II* listed site.

Councillors approved a time‑limited extension of planning permission on 15 January, but warned organisers they expect “proactive, not reactive” management of events.

The marquee, operated by restaurant group MyLahore, was first erected in 2012 as a temporary structure on the heritage centre’s grounds. It hosts weddings, parties and community celebrations, and is also used for religious events. It was intended as a short‑term solution but has been in place for more than a decade.

“Twelve years and we are no further in making a permanent solution, and that is really disappointing,” said Councillor Killpatrick during the meeting.

Because the structure sits in the curtilage of a Grade II* listed building, planning officers stressed the need to protect the character and setting of the former college site. Local residents told councillors they believe the marquee and its associated activities were harming the area.

At a planning committee session in December, households living on surrounding streets reported rubbish piled at the back of the centre, fireworks and flares, loud music, dry ice affecting air quality and at least one incident where police were called.

Residents opposing the extension described the operation as effectively a commercial venue in the middle of a quiet residential neighbourhood.

“In the middle of a densely populated residential area there is a fully fledged catering and hospitality business that hosts large events, often more than one a day,” one objector told councillors.

“In the four weeks since the last meeting the issues outlined previously have continued. Events have run over the time set out in the planning conditions, there’s still inadequate security, there is still noise from the catering workers and the lights are still left on.”

Planning officers and committee members accepted that previous conditions had not always been complied with and pressed the applicants on their ability to manage the site.

“Planning conditions need to make sure they are enforceable and then make sure the applicant is or isn’t capable of delivering this,” said director of planning Julie Roscoe.

The committee chair on licensing issues added that monitoring would “have to be proactive, not reactive”.

However, a series of speakers defended the marquee and the wider work of the British Muslim Heritage Centre. Representatives for the centre and MyLahore highlighted their local and international humanitarian projects, as well as youth and educational programmes based on the site.

The Stop Start Go charity, which houses 57 residents within the main heritage building, spoke in favour of the extension. Chief executive Maria Marsden told councillors that people living there had not experienced problems on the scale described by some neighbours.

Other residents spoke about the positive role the centre plays in Whalley Range. Nila Ahmed, who lives locally on College Road, said the building “only truly came to life after being purchased by the BMHC”. She said her family regularly attends seminars, training sessions, exhibitions, festivals and weekly prayers there, and that her daughter’s wedding was recently held in the marquee with clear conditions set by management.

“The BMHC has been at the heart of community cohesion,” she said. “It has added life, culture and opportunity to the area while trying to remain respectful to local residents.”

Ahmed raised concerns about the tone of some opposition, claiming that a local WhatsApp group had carried Islamophobic comments. She linked this to graffiti daubed on the heritage centre’s walls and argued it reflected wider political tensions in the country.

Councillors approved the marquee’s extension subject to strict conditions aimed at curbing noise, overrunning events and nuisance to neighbours. The committee made clear that any future breaches could trigger enforcement action, signalling that the venue’s long‑running “temporary” status will remain under close scrutiny.