THE Ahmadiyya Muslim Association has caused fresh controversy this week, following reports that unapproved tracks have been built on the land and that buildings are not being used appropriately. The Oaklands Farm site is now being investigated by council planning officers to establish whether the barns are being used for storage of Jalsa Salana equipment and the tracks have been laid without planning permission. It has also been alleged that the farm house is occupied by people not employed as agricultural workers. Under planning law the barns may only be used to store farm equipment, and the house only occupied by agricultural employees. This law allows all farmers a 28 day break per year – during which they can hold events and use outhouses as a storage facility. However, it has been claimed that the buildings are still being used in this way, months after the Jalsa Salana annual event. Planning officer Chris Murray said: "Obviously people have given us information, and as a result of that we have been down there and looked at the site. This event has caused a certain amount of controversy and we are trying to make sure that we keep an eye on the situation. "We are currently investigating in order to make sure that the two farmhouses are occupied by agricultural workers only; and that the barns are not being used for storing Jalsa Salana equipment and there have been no more tracks made. Once we have all of the information, we will then have a decision to make. "We could invite them to submit retrospective planning permission, or depending on the nature and scale of the offence we could take immediate action. I'm not suggesting that will be the case, but it could be considered." Approved tracks have been laid on the land, as South East Water has begun digging bore holes on the site. It is not yet clear if the tracks have been made for the Jalsa Salana or if they are part of the water board's construction works. Vice president of the association, Dr Nazir Ahmad said: "I'm not aware of any new tracks, but if there is we will rectify the situation straight away. "We have given our commitment to the council that we will vacate all equipment from the barn that was left in the aftermath of the convention. "We know that equipment was left there, but work was carried out by volunteers and they needed to relax – there was no secret intention in leaving equipment there." Dr Ahmad also denied allegations that the farm houses were being used inappropriately. He said: "They are used only by the farmer and farm hands. The only point raised by the council that we did not tackle was usage of the barns – but work to empty them will commence this weekend." Many residents in the surrounding area have previously raised concerns regarding the Jalsa Salana convention, and it is clear that these latest reports are doing nothing to improve relations between residents and the Ahmadiyya association. One resident, who wishes to remain anonymous said: "Very few people are in support of the event for various reasons. The vast majority of people don't want the event to take place, but are reluctant to speak up about it. It's a very sensitive issue." However, there are obviously residents who are supportive of the event. An East Worldham parish councillor told The Herald: "It's an assumption that the majority of residents are against the event. There are people that are pro the convention, indifferent to it and against it. Unfortunately, it is the people that critise it that make the loudest noise. "They are our neighbours, they bought the land legitimately and they are a friendly bunch. We have been to the Jalsa Salana for two years running, and have enjoyed it greatly." There will be a briefing and a question session on the Jalsa Salana held at East Worldham Village Hall on Thursday, December 6, from 8pm. Residents from the local community, particularly from East Worldham, Kingsley and Oakhanger, are invited to hear Tom Horwood, head of communications and policy at EHDC answer any questions on the current plans for the Jalsa Salana. The county footpaths officer will also be attending to answer any questions on rights of way issues.
