Fury has erupted over plans to turn a historic library into a mosque, with three councillors and a local resident threatening legal action. One political leader claimed the mosque’s £6,000 a year rent would be subsidised by the taxpayer.
Monmouthshire County Council, which is Labour-led, approved plans to convert the vacant Abergavenny Library into a mosque in June. They greenlit a 30-year lease for the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association (MMCA) but there has since been opposition to the plans. Councillors Rachel Buckler (Conservative), Simon Howarth (Independent) and Louise Brown (Conservative) have brought forward a legal challenge alongside resident John Hardwick.
As reported by GB News, Councillor Ben Callard (Labour) said after the lease was approved: “I think it was the correct one and Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association will be good tenants for this property.”
The four challengers reached out to the Christian Legal Centre who are now supporting them. They raised concerns surrounding “religious impartiality”, with Tory group leader Richard John claiming taxpayers’ cash would be used for the £6,000 annual rent.
However, Cllr Callard denied these claims, insisting the tenants will be responsible for all maintenance of the building. The lease is reportedly on a “full repair” basis which means the tenants will have “significant liabilities”.
He added that the council has an “ambition” to provide a place of worship for the local Muslim population. The lease was unanmiously voted on by the seven-strong cabinet.
Andrea Williams, the chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said the decision “raises serious questions about transparency, fairness, and the proper use of public assets”.
Meanwhile, Cllr Buckler said it “makes sense to collaborate with” the Christian Legal Centre. She added the “whole point is no organisation should be treated with any more favour than any other.”
Cllr Buckler continued: “It is not about a Christian agenda it’s about the fact a lease was awarded, as far as we can see, for a peppercorn rent for 30 years for an incredibly important civic building that was given to the people by the Carnegie Trust in 1905.”
Abergavenny Town Council Reverend Gareth Wilde, a Labour Party member, said he was surprised to see a Christian group support the challenge.
He explained: “It seems more like a governance or spending issue. It does seem a little bit muddled.”