Walsall Sikh temple expansion approved

The Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Caldmore has been granted permission to build two new classrooms.

At the moment, the place of worship on West Bromwich Street has around 50 visitors a week but it is expected the expansion will attract an extra 30 people.

The new classrooms will be built as part of a first floor extension above a boiler room to the side of the main temple building.

Despite 60 per cent more visitors per week anticipated, developers stated that there was no need to create additional parking outside. The extra worshippers will attend between the hours of 9.30am and 11.30am on Saturday and Sunday as existing visitors do and the expansion will not create any extra activity during the week.

A parking statement submitted by consultants JMP said: "Following the extension it is anticipated that a further 30 pupils will be accommodated on site. There are no plans to alter the hours of operation.

"The proposed development will not have any impact during weekdays. It is further considered that any impact arising from the proposed extension will fall during relatively quiet periods on the local highway network, in particular the Sunday AM."

The firm adds: "It should also be considered that many of the pupils at the school will not drive themselves to the school, either sharing lifts with others, such as parents, or being dropped off, both causing no additional parking demand at or around the site than is allowed through extant users."

Palfry ward councillor Victoria Whyte has welcomed the development.

She said: "I am sure the residents in the area will not mind it expanding they do a lot of good work there especially with the young people. They also feed a lot of people as well which is not something other places do in such hard times.

"I don't hear residents complain about it. There maybe a bit of traffic but you will get that no matter what. Caldmore is like a one-way system anyway and people have got used to it."

Walsall Council planning chiefs officially signed off on the plans on Monday after they had been submitted by applicant Surai Sukhjinder.

Councillor Whyte added: "The council would have considered any issues and took into account what the public had to say. But as far as I'm aware there has been no-one complain."