Camberley mosque minaret poses 'no security threat' say military experts
Categories: Latest News
Friday April 08 2011
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The public inquiry into the proposed mosque in Camberley, Surrey has heard that the 100 foot minarets at the centre of the dispute pose “little risk” to the security of the military training academy, RMA Sandhurst. |
Controversy has surrounded the application by the Bengali Welfare Association to turn a disused school into a mosque.
From Camberley News:
“On Wednesday (April 6) retired Major General Tim Cross said the new building could “compromise the security” of the academy, citing the minarets as a particular threat.
“However, on the third day of the inquiry on Thursday (April 7) Alexis Norman, from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, said she had no concerns as long as the minarets were solid and inaccessible from the inside.
“Colonel Roddy Windsor, the chief as staff at the academy said a robust security survey had been carried out.
“He added: “I am entirely satisfied that there remains very little risk.””
The inquiry also heard from Councillor Ian Bell who has supported the Association’s planning application. Speaking on the decision by council colleagues to revoke permission after it had been granted, Cllr Bell said:
“In my view it was 10% planning and 90% bigotry and I don’t believe this has any place in this process.”