North Somerset Council has taken the unusual step of removing all public comments from its planning portal regarding a mosque expansion application in Weston-super-Mare, following an influx of offensive and racist objections.
The Weston Islamic Education Centre, located on Waterloo Street, recently purchased the adjacent property and submitted plans to merge the two buildings into a larger, enhanced mosque. The proposal highlights its goal to establish a landmark community facility that addresses the spiritual, educational, and social needs of the local Muslim population, while contributing positively to the town’s urban environment.
However, the public feedback section on the council’s website became overwhelmed with numerous comments deemed hateful and potentially distressing. A public notice dated July 22 now replaces the comment section, affirming the council’s commitment to celebrating ethnic and cultural diversity and opposing racism.
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Among the offensive remarks removed was a notably racist comment expressing fears of “Islamification” and alleging that approving the mosque would lead to mixed-race descendants among decision-makers. It is important to note that Muslims constitute just 0.6% of North Somerset’s population, and this mosque is the district’s sole Islamic place of worship.
Despite the removal of comments from public view, residents can still submit their opinions through the council’s planning portal, where feedback continues to be reviewed by planning officers and elected councillors. The council emphasized that it retains discretion over which comments are publicly displayed and is under no legal obligation to show all submissions.
The decision ignited reactions from local political groups. Reform UK’s Weston-super-Mare branch accused the council of silencing residents and challenged the removal of comments, framing objections as concerns rather than racism. Their calls for objections included statements about community safety, though responses to inquiries about these claims went unanswered.
Conversely, Ciaran Cronelley, leader of Weston-super-Mare Town Council and a Labour councillor, condemned the offensive comments and supported the council’s action. He stated that race or religion are neither valid nor legal reasons to reject a planning application and labelled such objections as blatant bigotry. He also criticized anonymous social media users for spreading hate.
Architecturally, the planning application proposes preserving the Victorian frontage on Waterloo Street while introducing a modern blue-tiled facade with arches along the Palmer Street side. Internally, the design includes versatile spaces such as separate prayer halls for men and women, ablution facilities, and a ghusl area for funeral preparations.
The project aspires to be more than a place of worship, aiming to foster positive relationships with the neighborhood through inviting communal spaces and cultural engagement that enhance social cohesion.