Sikhs Lose Oxford Temple

March 10, 2010

Author: Emily Allen

Source: The Oxford Times

http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/headlines/5052795.Sikhs_lose_Oxford_temple/

Oxford's Sikh community must find a new place to worship after a planning inspector ruled they cannot use a Marston house as a temple.

In January last year, Oxford City Council refused an application for retrospective planning permission to change the use of 69 Cherwell Drive from a place of residence to a place of worship, following objections from neighbours.

The Sikh community’s appeal to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate was dismissed this week.

Now they have a year to stop using the semi-detached three bedroom home as a makeshift temple, and they must also demolish a single-storey extension to the rear of the property, which is used as a congregation room, before the end of October.