HUNDREDS of protestors were out in force in Timperley on Saturday to try and halt plans for a new Islamic community centre in the Green Belt.

Armed with placards, around 500 people flocked to a peaceful protest at the proposed site of the Altrincham and Hale Muslim Association’s (AHMA) new community centre in Thorley Lane, on October 22.

Demonstration organiser Angela Holbrooks, who also spearheaded the petition opposing the plans, which has garnered more than 2,100 signatures to date, said she was only expected around 40 to 50 people to turn out.

The Altrincham resident said: “I was completely overwhelmed, never in my wildest dreams did I expect that many people to come out and we had a lot of support from passing traffic too.

"There was only one police inspector and two community officers at the start but it wasn’t enough, they had to bring more officers in. But there was absolutely no trouble for the police, it was all about the residents.”

There had been some concern that the protest could be ‘hijacked’ by far right groups.

“We tried to monitor the crowds as we didn’t want any involvement with politics,” said Angela.

“It was made clear that banners or placards were welcome, as long as it didn’t have racial or religious connotations.

“There shouldn’t be any buildings on that site, it should be left for the people to enjoy as Green Belt land. AHMA are trying to say to relabel it as a brownfield site but it is the owners’ who have allowed it to be contaminated.

“I have heard about one or two people moving out of the area, which is a shame, as they are originally from Timperley and they will slowly drift away from the area.”

The proposed 2,000sqm two-storey building centre would replace AHMA’s Islamic Cultural Centre at the former St David’s Church in Grove Lane, which has been deemed no longer fit for purpose due to the association’s growing community.

The association said it has a real need for a new and bespoke centre and highlighted that it would be multi-purpose and open to all.

A spokesperson for AHMA said: “We understand that there are some local concerns and we hope people will take time to review the further information which is available on our website. We believe that many of these concerns are either addressed on the website or will be addressed in the planning application.

"This planning application is currently being prepared and will be submitted shortly. This will allow all those interested the opportunity to review the details of the application, before drawing their own conclusions about the proposals.

“To address the specific points raised by Mrs Holbrooks, it is not for the association to ‘relabel’ the site as brownfield. Instead it is for the Local Planning Authority to consider the planning application on its merits.

"Our very first statement to the Messenger over a month ago made specific reference to the Green Belt and the fact that we would need to address the special regulations which apply to development in the Green Belt.

“However, the site is contaminated and our planning application will provide a detailed ‘ground conditions’ report which finds that the site contained commercial buildings and structures from at least 1935. The site has historically been used for commercial activity which has contributed to the contamination identified.”

Visit ahmacommunitycentre.co.uk for more information about the proposal.