The Islamic Cultural Centre in Drammen has submitted plans to demolish old commercial buildings on Bjørnstjerne Bjørnsons gate and build a centre covering around 2,200 square metres.
The building will have two storeys. Among other things, it will house classrooms and playrooms for around 50 children after school. There are also plans for offices for five to ten staff members and a small commercial premises intended to be a grocery shop. The centre will also have halls for its own events and expects up to 150 visitors on Fridays and during public holidays.
The word ‘mosque’ is not used in the plans. It is referred to as a ‘cultural hall’. However, the centre’s own website states that the building will have a ‘mosque area’ of 270 square metres, writes Drammens Tidende.
This was raised at the executive committee meeting on Tuesday. There, the politicians wanted to know whether overnight accommodation was also being considered, as the cultural centre is already under scrutiny for offering such a service. The county administrator is now investigating the centre’s existing after-school programme, where children and young people can stay overnight. The centre rejects being called a Koran school, something Document has written about previously.
Lene Basma, acting director of community services for the municipality, has not provided a concrete answer.
– At present, this is a planning matter, not a building permit application. We cannot comment on the content at this stage,” said Basma.
The submitted plans do not include any provision for overnight accommodation. However, in the neighbouring building, which is also owned by the centre, there are four residential units. This is to be retained as it is today.
Ulf Erik Knudsen (INP) was concerned about traffic and parking, and felt that there is parking chaos around other mosques in the city. The plans show around 25 car spaces and 35 cycle spaces.
The executive committee is due to consider the planning proposal in a month’s time. The politicians will then decide whether to send it out for consultation.
