BARNET TODAY | NEWS | Somali centre destroyed in arson attack could become housing development | 2014
THE head of a Somali charity whose headquarters was destroyed by arsonists last year has welcomed plans to move them to a new centre in East Finchley – but has questioned proposals to turn the site of its former home into a housing development.
Barnet Council is in the early stages of building a new community centre to replace the Bravanese Centre, in Coppetts Road, Muswell Hill, which housed the Bravanese Welfare Association and was burnt down in the early hours of June 5, 2013.
Police officers investigating the blaze discovered the letters “EDL” (the initials of the far-right, anti-Islam group the English Defence League) had been sprayed on the side of the centre.
The new centre, which could be built in Tarling Road, East Finchley, would house the welfare association, which is currently based in offices in East Finchley Library, in High Road. It will also be available for use by the wider community.
A report considered by the council’s assets and regeneration committee on Monday revealed that the Coppetts Road site had been earmarked for a housing development – should the Tarling Road plan go ahead.
Chairman of the Bravanese Welfare Association, Abubakar Ali, said his group, which was “still in limbo”, would be happy to move to a new centre. He said: “If everything goes the way we want, that is fine for us. The location has been identified and a feasibility study has been started and we are hoping for building work to start at the end of this year.”
However, he called for the site in Muswell Hill to be retained for community use. “I would prefer it to be a community centre,” he said. “It belongs to the local people.
“There are a lot of young people, not just Somalis, who are looking for another space where they can spend time.”
A council spokeswoman said: “We are in the very early stages of looking to build an exciting new community facility in Tarling Road.
“This proposal would provide a new community facility for residents in the Muswell Hill and East Finchley areas. We will, of course, be speaking to residents and ward members in the near future before we progress any further with the proposals.
“Any options for the site in Coppetts Road depend on the outcome of those discussions.”
Email: daniel.obrien@nlhnews.co.uk
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