Proposals To Turn Former Citroen Hq Into Sikh Meditation Centre Due To Be Decided This Week

[singhbj singh]

Proposals to turn former Citroen HQ into Sikh meditation centre due to be decided this week

Published: 18 Feb 2014 16:45

PROPOSALS to turn the former HQ of a car manufacturer into a Sikh meditation and community centre were due to be decided on Thursday.

Punjab House Association wants to open the worship centre - which would also include a Punjabi language school - in the vacant offices, showroom and workshop at the former Citroen site at 221 Bath Road, Slough.

A report due to be heard by the planning committee recommended the decision to be delegated to the lead planning officer to make a decision, following consideration of a revised transport plan, car park layout and agreement of a financial contribution - known as a Section 106 payment.

The Observer exclusively revealed the plans last month, which developers said would be based on meditation centres in China.

The report states there would also be workshops run - including plastering, plumbing and bricklaying - and a day care centre for the elderly. It would also include a Punjabi language school and meditation and worship hall.

The meditation hall would be able to cater for 500 people, but the application says a maximum of 200 would be expected from 10am-1pm on Sundays, and 50 through the week.

It adds 100 pupils are expected to attend every Saturday.

The site, thought to cover more than 1 hectare, also includes 280 car parking spaces, in a three-deck multi-storey car park.

The offices have been empty since car manufacturer Citroen moved its HQ to Coventry in July 2012. A Citreon spokesman, last month, said the dealership on site will remain there for the medium-term future. He did confirm, however, they are looking for a new location in Slough.

Developers hope the centre could be open from August.

Source - http://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/slough/articles/2014/02/18/97832-proposals-to-turn-former-citroen-hq-into-sikh-meditation-centre-due-to-be-decided-this-week/#c