Gosport tattoo studio Indelible Ink objects to plans for Islamic place of worship over space fears and road safety
A tattooist has objected to plans for a place of worship because there is not enough parking in the area
A tattoo studio on the same road as a proposed Islamic place of worship has said the plans are “dangerous and irresponsible” due to limited space and parking.
Indelible Ink, in Forton Road, Gosport, said the proposal to convert a shop could increase pressure on parking along the road and pose risks to pedestrians, particularly schoolchildren at peak times.
In the objection, the neighbouring business said a place of worship would “require considerable parking availability, which just isn’t viable”.
The tattooists also raised concerns about disruption, warning that noise from the development could affect their working environment.
“We are carrying out careful, permanent amendments to the skin and therefore require a peaceful and calm environment at all times,” the owners said.
They added: “We don’t believe or understand how such a small property could possibly be considered as a place of worship, as presumably, this would need to hold a large amount of people at any one time. We feel that this is both dangerous and irresponsible, putting the building and surrounding areas at risk from a health and safety standpoint.”
The plans were first submitted to Gosport Borough Council at the start of May.
The applicant, Mohammed Salam, on behalf of the Gosport Islamic Society, said the existing shop “has been empty for four years”.
He proposes to transform the two-storey building into a meeting hall for the Gosport Islamic Society.
The planning statement said the site would be open “approximately five hours a day” but there would be a varying timetable.
The document said: “We understand the prayers, as an example, would be held at 4.41am, 1.07pm, 4.45pm, 7.52pm and 9.07pm.”
However, this is another area of concern for residents.
In his objection, Richard Lazarus, who lives in Forton Road, said “there is no noise assessment or management plan” for the proposed night-time and early morning activities.
He said: “The proposal would generate noise and disturbance at unsociable hours and over-intensify a small mid-terrace unit.”
He added that his objection is based on material planning grounds and “without reference to the identity or beliefs of the applicants”.
Gosport Borough Council said a decision should be made by June 30, but the application will need to be considered by the authority’s regulatory board.