The institutional purpose of the new centre will be to preserve the essence of the Islamic faith by empowering Muslims to achieve their full potential in spiritual, educational, physical, socio-economic and cultural aspirations. It will act as an interchange, aiming to inspire all Muslims to play a positive and pivotal role in the wider community.
The proposal is to construct a self-sufficient, purpose-built Community Centre and Masjid over the ground and four upper floors totalling approximately 53,000sq.ft or 4,926 sq.m. A detailed sustainability assessment was commissioned to ensure the financial and strategic viability of the new project. The planned redevelopment incorporates a number of existing and future income-generating services.
Phase One: A New Centre
On the 13th February 2013 under planning reference number PP/2012/3271 planning consent was granted for the new building.
This will create one of the largest Islamic Centres in the UK and London, with the capacity to accommodate over 3,000 people.
The Centre will offer enhanced services plus much-needed additional community provisions. Demolition of the existing building commenced on the 6th August 2017.
Phase One will take place in 3 parts at a budgeted cost of is £8.39 million, the first stage is to construct the concrete frame and a temporary Masjid on the ground floor, so the community can return to the site.
The vision for the future is a multi-service facility with the wellbeing of the Muslim and wider community at its heart. Education and social welfare remain its key objective. It is vital to ensure that the Centre is financially independent and remains so. Key features of the new centre will include:
Phase Two: Residential Development
Having taken detailed planning advice, it is very likely that WLIC will be able to construct a further four floors on top of the newly completed facility. Plans have been drawn and this shows a realistic potential of 24 residential apartments. The foundations, structure and services have been upgraded as part of the Phase 1 construction works, which will allow a cost-effective delivery of Phase 2. This project will form a future phase of the WLIC development and sustainability plans.
These apartments are expected to generate an income of circa £320,000 per annum (to be confirmed and based on final consented scheme). These funds will seal the financial future of WLIC and the community it serves. It will also establish a model other Mosques may be able to replicate.
Project Timeline
Having raised £3 million, the Centre closes its doors and demolition of the existing building begins in August 2017. The project total is circa £8.39 million. WLIC launches the £1000 Mussalah appeal.
2018: £1.7m is raised to complete a temporary ground floor structure and the congregation returns to site in time for Ramadan 2018 (1439A.H)
2019: £1.5m is raised to complete the exterior of the building along with the ground and first floor prayer halls.
Feb 2022: Having raised a further £790,000, £1.4m is needed to finish the remaining internal banqueting, clinic, library, education and fitness floors, to complete the building.
*In some instances figures and timings are indicative and will be dependent on cashflow, Covid 19 implications and material variations to the cost plan.
