Plans for a new mosque and Muslim community centre are under consideration. The application has been made for the currently vacant building in St Martin’s Lane, Littlehampton, which was previously inhabited by Littlehampton Shopmobility. Littlehampton Muslim Trust hopes to set up a “community centre for the local Muslim community”, containing a community hall, prayer room, multiple community rooms, a meeting room and a kitchen.
It also hopes to provide services such as youth mentoring and counselling, after school and youth holiday clubs, daily prayers, weekend playgroups and evening community events . To date, the application has received over 50 comments of objection from the public, including residents and business owners. Reasons against the application include increased traffic and insufficient parking, noise and a detrimental impact on local businesses.
One objector wrote: “This town desperately requires regeneration and this building will not help. READ MORE: 'We were fighting a losing battle' - MP and residents react to Royal Mail lease grant “There will be traffic chaos and unfortunately due to some residents’ racist views it will cause some to target the mosque. “Given the amount of crime already in the town which the police do little to control with gangs of youths, drunks and drug dealers, this will only serve to inflame the situation.
” Around 13 people have written to Arun District Council in support of the plans. These comments include increased .