LONDON: Anger has flared over plans to turn a Grade II-listed pub in Norwich into a mosque.The Norwich Muslim Centre (NMC) has lodged plans with City Hall to turn the Gatehouse on Dereham Road into a place of worship with two separate prayer halls for men and women. It will offer a madrassa, Hifz madrassa (where the focus is on memorising the entire holy Quran) and Islamic classes. The proposed design includes Islamic-style screens and Arabic lettering.The NMC has bought the pub with a 10% deposit and is now raising a further £800,000.Originally built in 1934, the pub closed in 2023 following the death of its owner. Attempts by a community initiative to purchase it were unsuccessful.NMC trustee Sirajul Islam said: “We have got four or five masjds in Norwich but they are all struggling for space. Our dream is to create a centre that not only provides a space for worship but also empowers the next generation with a strong Islamic identity.”There have been over 100 comments on the council planning portal sharply divided over the proposals. Dozens of residents have objected, with some saying there are already enough mosques in the city, with one just 10 minutes away and raising concerns about the loss of pubs in the city.“There is to be complete segregation of the two genders when utilising the proposed building. Is such segregation within the laws of the UK,” one wrote.“Muslims make up only 4% of the community in Norwich, which means 96% of the population will be unlikely to benefit from the facility but will bear the brunt of the increase in traffic, footfall and everything else,” another said.“The pub was well liked and used by the community for socialising, drinking, music and pub games and it should be retained as such for use as a pub,” Norwich & District Campaign for Real Ale wrote.However a supporter wrote: “A mosque tends to bring calm rather than trouble, unlike the occasional disorder linked to pubs on weekend nights.”The city council is yet to make a decision.
