Plans for Muslim Academy revamp to be decided tomorrow

Portsmouth City Council’s planning committee will decide on whether to approve works to the academy, which was formerly the Mile End Chapel near the birthplace of Charles Dickens.

The works include raising the ground floor by 60cm, nearly 2ft, to create a “more extensive and usable basement”.

Other works include a new staircase connecting all floors near the rear, internal alterations on the first and second floor, and solar panels on the south roof slope.

Additionally, opening hours would be increased to 24hrs during the months of Ramadan, usually between February and March.

According to its website, The Portsmouth Muslim Academy provides a place for “prayer and worship” alongside education services.

These include maktab, traditional Islamic schools that provides a supplementary religious education for pupils aged 5–16, and Hifz classes, which help students memorise the Qur’an word for word.

The plans include a planning application and a listed building consent submitted by Carl Architect Limited on behalf of Ali Liakoth.

The council officer’s report noted that the Grade II listed chapel has had a number of uses since its construction in 1884, including an art studio, before being brought back into religious use.

It added there has been “extensive engagement between officers and the applicant” and has resulted in changes such as the proposal for uPVC windows and the gating of Mill Lane.

There have been 17 objections from the public, with many raising concerns over increasing the opening hours along with the building’s capacity by creating three usable floors.

One supporting comment described the concerns raised over noise and traffic as “discriminatory and rooted in Islamophobia” arguing that “Similar objections would not be raised if a synagogue or church were to extend their hours”.

Officer’s recommended approval subject to nine conditions.

Residents can view the application on the council website.