Walsall temple wants to knock down homes and shop as part of expansion plans
Sikh temple bosses want to knock down nearly a dozen homes and a former shop as part of expansion plans to cater for large-scale funerals.
The Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Palfrey has applied to bulldoze the old Chic Couture dress shop on the corner of West Bromwich Street and Sandwell Street, as well as terrace houses from 226 to 248 Sandwell Street.
In their place they want to build a chapel of rest with a dedicated congregation hall, while the lost housing would be replaced by a four-storey block with nine apartments.
In justification of the proposal, submitted to Walsall Council, they say it is a ‘concern’ low-income families are living in the homes ‘unsuitable’ to accommodate a modern family, as well as being energy inefficient.
In a planning document, Alan Crossley, of Matthew Allen Architectural, on behalf of the temple, said: “Within the community a need has been identified for the provision of a suitable facility that we have termed a chapel of rest with associated ceremonial and worship facilities for the religious congregation. The local community is close and all of the usual family special occasions are celebrated by not only the immediate family, but by the community at large.
“Funerals are a typical example of this community-wide spirit. When there is a death, a bereaved family does not have the facility to cater for the numbers of mourners from the community.
“As a responsible guardian of the spiritual needs of the community, the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple requests consent to develop a part of the site for a suitably-sized facility that will enable the community-wide respect to be shown to a member of that community that has died.”
Referring to the current properties, Mr Crossley added: “The site is occupied by a number of terraced houses and a retail shop premises.
“The houses are modest in size and unsuitable to satisfactorily accommodate a modern family. They are energy inefficient and as they are occupied by low-income families. This is a serious concern.” The temple plays host to the annual Vaisakhi celebration every April, which sees thousands of people taking part in a colourful procession around the surrounding streets.
Last year Walsall Council approved planning permission for two new classrooms to be built at the site increasing weekly visitors from 50 to 80.
