![\"\"](\"https:\/\/satellite.mmu.ac.uk\/northernquota-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/437\/2026\/01\/BMHC-marquee-1-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBecause the structure sits in the curtilage of a Grade II* listed building, planning officers stressed the need to protect the character and setting of the former college site. Local residents told councillors they believe the marquee and its associated activities were harming the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At a planning committee session in December, households living on surrounding streets reported rubbish piled at the back of the centre, fireworks and flares, loud music, dry ice affecting air quality and at least one incident where police were called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Residents opposing the extension described the operation as effectively a commercial venue in the middle of a quiet residential neighbourhood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the middle of a densely populated residential area there is a fully fledged catering and hospitality business that hosts large events, often more than one a day,\u201d one objector told councillors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the four weeks since the last meeting the issues outlined previously have continued. Events have run over the time set out in the planning conditions, there\u2019s still inadequate security, there is still noise from the catering workers and the lights are still left on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Planning officers and committee members accepted that previous conditions had not always been complied with and pressed the applicants on their ability to manage the site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlanning conditions need to make sure they are enforceable and then make sure the applicant is or isn\u2019t capable of delivering this,\u201d said director of planning Julie Roscoe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee chair on licensing issues added that monitoring would \u201chave to be proactive, not reactive\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, a series of speakers defended the marquee and the wider work of the British Muslim Heritage Centre. Representatives for the centre and MyLahore highlighted their local and international humanitarian projects, as well as youth and educational programmes based on the site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Stop Start Go charity, which houses 57 residents within the main heritage building, spoke in favour of the extension. Chief executive Maria Marsden told councillors that people living there had not experienced problems on the scale described by some neighbours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other residents spoke about the positive role the centre plays in Whalley Range. Nila Ahmed, who lives locally on College Road, said the building \u201conly truly came to life after being purchased by the BMHC\u201d. She said her family regularly attends seminars, training sessions, exhibitions, festivals and weekly prayers there, and that her daughter\u2019s wedding was recently held in the marquee with clear conditions set by management. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe BMHC has been at the heart of community cohesion,\u201d she said. \u201cIt has added life, culture and opportunity to the area while trying to remain respectful to local residents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ahmed raised concerns about the tone of some opposition, claiming that a local WhatsApp group had carried Islamophobic comments. She linked this to graffiti daubed on the heritage centre\u2019s walls and argued it reflected wider political tensions in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Councillors approved the marquee\u2019s extension subject to strict conditions aimed at curbing noise, overrunning events and nuisance to neighbours. The committee made clear that any future breaches could trigger enforcement action, signalling that the venue\u2019s long\u2011running \u201ctemporary\u201d status will remain under close scrutiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A controversial events marquee at the British Muslim Heritage Centre in Whalley Range has been allowed to stay and expand, despite complaints from neighbours and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1973,"featured_media":23479,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4972],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n