MEMBERS of East Hampshire District Council's north planning committee have decided to visit the site of a withdrawn retrospective application at Oaklands Farm, Green Street (B3004) East Worldham. According to planning control manager, Chris Murray, the application on behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK (AMA) which own the site, was for the retention of as yet unapproved work to provide underground electricity and water supply services, manholes and terrace together with alternations to the western access to the B3004, and the widening of a track. The application has been withdrawn pending a public meeting, called by AMA, which is to be held at Oaklands Farm on Wednesday, February 28. According to AMA vice president Akram Ahmedi, the meeting will provide an opportunity to reassure members of the local community that the AMA has no plans to submit further applications for the site. The retrospective application, he explained, had come about due to a misunderstanding with EHDC planning officers over what work was permissible without planning permission. Since then, the track and access works have been reinstated and there are plans, once the land has dried out, to dismantle the terrace, built on the hill to provide hardstanding for water tanks. The AMA understands now that it will need to gain permission for the electricity and water supply work, which it intends doing. "We are not trying to go against what we have already agreed with the community, which is that we don't want to go for any more applications," said Mr Ahmedi. Having purchased the farm just over a year ago, the AMA has permission to use the land for 28 days a year for public meetings and last year held a highly successful and well-run three-day convention which attracted around 30,000 Muslims from around the country. But for the rest of the time, the intention is to run Oaklands as a farm. On Wednesday next week, those attending the public meeting will hear of the plans. The meeting will start at 7-30 pm for 8 pm at the farm. For details contact Akram Ahmedi on 07900 674606.
