Security Threats to Muslim Centre Considered in Granting Retrospective Planning Consent

Published on: 5 Oct, 2026
Updated on: 5 Oct, 2026

The entrance to Islamabad, Tilford. Google

By Chris Caulfield

local democracy reporter

Security measures to ward off terror threats and attacks at a Surrey mosque have been approved.

The Islamabad site in Sheephatch Lane, Farnham, is the headquarters for the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. It will keep its security kiosks and its control centre, together with new access roads, after being granted retrospective planning permission by Waverley Borough Council.

The October meeting heard the measures were put in place as a direct response to specific threats which were shared with officers, although the details were kept private.

Residents opposing the plans raised their own concerns surrounding the over development of the green belt site, and were upset that the work was carried out prior to being granted permission.

Officers told the meeting: “Several reports have been submitted with regards to security of the site, justifying the proposal.

“These reports are confidential and have been seen by (the council).

“Security wise, this is a sensitive site.

“Having read the reports (the council) is satisfied that the benefits of those additional security measures are appropriate for the security identified and are required for the safety of the public and the occupants.

“It is considered that these benefits of the safety requirements outweigh the identified harm.”

Opponents to the development said they recognised the abuse Islamabad has had and the peaceful nature of the community there but that should not mean planning should be ignored.

One speaker said: “I have watched the Islamabad site (grow) at an alarming rate with a complete disregard of the planning law that was there to protect this beautiful area.

“Surely we must all accept restrictions on development to protect this special landscape.

“Once it is lost it is lost to everyone and lost forever.”

Another added: “If heightened security is indeed needed, then a much better design is found, which doesn’t cause so much harm to the landscape.”

Sean Tickle, speaking for the plans, said: “These overall arrangements should be considered as a single coherent safety system.

“Each element supports the other; controlled entry, effective monitoring, orderly internal movement, and a defined liaison for the emergency services.

“The applicant sincerely apologises that these facilities were installed in a sensitive green belt location without approval and we are working closely with officers to ensure this does not happen again.

“We would love to meet with members of the community to ensure they are fully informed on the processes and we would work closely with them.”

He said those who ran publicly used premises had a duty of care to protect the people who visited them.

He added: “This application, albeit retrospective, demonstrates this approach and it was an immediate response to increasing threats and security concerns for this publicly accessible institution.”

Cllr Carole Cockburn

Cllr Carole Cockburn (Con, Farnham Bourne) said: “This community is under threat in a way that it has not been under threat before.

“In fact, I’ve never even considered it should be under threat because it’s always been such a part of the community.

“We are in a very different world.

“So as much as it grieves me, we could mess around and send it back for something more aesthetically pleasing.

“But I think at the moment, we have something that is acceptable as far as the officers are concerned, and which will do the job which for all we know, the danger could be imminent.

“We do know that there has been a lot of stuff online and elsewhere that has been most inappropriate.”