Exhibition plans for Willenhall Sikh temple
A new exhibition area to inform and educate people about Sikhism looks set to be created at a Willenhall temple.
Gurdwara Guru Nanak Prakash, on Walsall Road, has put forward proposals to planners to create the new extension to the existing venue.
Representatives of the Gurdwara committee will “inform and inspire” the community about the religion, its principles, history and its teachings.
As well as creating new exhibition space, the extension will see the creation of an enclosed seating area and a new main entrance to the temple.
Planners at Walsall Council are currently considering the application and are due to make a decision on whether to grant permission or not in August.
Agents Simpatico Town Planning said: “The proposed additions and alterations to the building have been conceived with the aim of further improving the facilities on offer at the site, and also to create a new exhibition area to inform and inspire the local community through exhibiting displays and artefacts relating to the Sikh faith, its history and its teachings.
“This application presents an exciting opportunity to introduce a high quality, innovative addition to a vitally important institution at the heart of the local community in Willenhall.
“The proposed exhibition area within the newly remodelled entrance to the temple would be of innovative, bespoke design and would result in the creation of a facility which would bring significant educational benefits both to the local Sikh community and to all visitors to the site.
“The proposed first floor and two storey extensions would also enhance the existing facilities at the site, further cementing the role of the Gurdwara as a focal point for local residents.”
The agents added: “In terms of design, the proposed exhibition area would introduce modern, bespoke design which would make a positive contribution to the appearance of the site and its surroundings, showing a clear contrast between the old and the new, and supplementing the vitality of the area.
“The additional first floor and side extensions would respect and replicate the features of the existing building, being sympathetic additions which would provide additional facilities and which, again, would cause no harm to the amenity and character of this area of Willenhall.
“Whilst the proposals would result in the creation of additional usable floor space within the site, the existing access and parking arrangements would be unaffected.
“The Gurdwara already benefits from substantial parking facilities, including a second car park just across the road from the site, and this generous capacity would not be reduced or adversely affected by the proposed additions to the main building.
“The scheme would therefore raise no issues in terms of access, parking or congestion in or around the site.”
