News

Gurkha centre bid thwarted by council

By Clare Alexander
June 26, 2009

GURKHAS’ hopes have been dashed after plans to build a Nepali-style function centre at their Farnborough headquarters were rejected by Rushmoor Borough Council.

The British Gurkha Welfare Society has pledged to appeal so their vision to extend the premises at 119 Wren Way can become a reality.

Plans include providing a hall, TV lounge and extra office space plus two guest bedrooms for visitors. The extension would have had tile-hung walls and a tiled pitched Nepalese-style roof.

The Gurkhas say they have already ordered the hand-carved wooden window frames and doors from Nepal.

The society is a charitable organisation dealing with the needs of former Gurkhas and their families in the UK.

The building is used primarily for offices but also provides community facilities, including a small hall/reception room, a Tae Kwon-Do hall and the Nepalese study centre.

Although the application was recommended for approval, councillors rejected it due to insufficient parking and potential safety issues with access to nearby Grange Community School.

Society chairman Tikendra Dewan was surprised it had been refused after receiving a letter from the council saying permission should be granted.

“What baffles me is that we were led to believe it was OK,” he said. “If the letter had said [that our presence was required] then it would have been more justifiable to reject the plans.”

Mr Dewan insisted the extension would not lead to an increase in traffic or the numbers using the facility. “We plan our functions very well,” he said, adding that the largest function would be for 100 but most would cater for 20 or 30.

“We were totally surprised because we wrote to the Highways Department to explain the plan and it seemed happy that parking was satisfactory,” he said.

Mr Dewan is going to speak to a planning consultant about an appeal.

“We feel really, really let down. We’re trying to help ourselves and the community and the council just says there is extra traffic and knocks it off.”

Although the centre would be used by the Gurkhas, it would also be open to the community as at present, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and a community radio station.

Chris Jones, case officer at the borough council, said the lack of parking in an area already short of parking was the main problem. He said 20 more spaces would be needed.

“We had recommended approval on the basis there would be capacity in the football club car park but members did not agree,” he said.

“We imagined that they would not have events on match days but members were not convinced that would be the case. They also had concerns about the new access point [being created] next to the school entrance.”

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BGWS is the only one ethical Gurkha Charitable organization. We want to maintain our 200 years old relationship with the British further strengthens in the coming years. BGWS has been helping local communities in all aspects, like crime reduction, ASB, youth activities and welfare of ex Gurkhas for betterment of quality of life. Most importantly BGWS is a bridge between the Nepalese community and the local authorities.Looking into these in consideration, I humbly request Rushmoor Borough Councill to reconsider this application.

Jai BGWS Jai Gurkha OMENDRA GURUNG

Gurkha
27/06/2009 at 07:04

"Chris Jones, case officer at the borough council" Ah, Chris from the council that allows late night drinking establishments on residential roads (even when many residents complained), new takeaways to replace residential buildings, allow persons to alter buildings outside the original planning permission granted............ and then grant it against the wishes of local residents, even when there is not available parking. Sorry but the planning department at Rushmoor have made some strange decisions in the past and to some residents the words "Have Lost The Plot" have come to mind. From one of the long suffering residents in North Camp where Rushmoor let you build and do anything want, even ignoring your original planning permission. Do I sound a little irritated :-))