Two faith groups in Northstowe, South Cambridgeshire’s growing new town, say they hope other communities will follow their example after agreeing to share a new faith and community hub.
The Northstowe Church Network is behind the bid to build the new town’s first faith-based community hub, which would be home to several groups under one roof. Northstowe Muslims would be the anchor tenant, with an Islamic prayer and education room on the floor above a Christian chapel — a shared worship space that could be the first of its kind in the UK.
Jawad Nawash, chairman of Northstowe Muslims, said focusing on the “common things between us” had helped “build bridges”. Atteq Nasir, a trustee of the group, added: “We really need to work hard in a divisive world to remind people that there’s so much more that keeps us together.”
The hub would be built on a 0.25 hectare plot overlooking Bug Hunter Waters, off Stirling Road, at a cost of £5.6m, with worship space making up 19% of the building. Other faith groups would be invited to hire space, and Hindu Samaj Northstowe is also among those bidding to use the town’s hub.
The Christian side of the project, led by minister Reverend Beth Cope, brings together Church of England, United Reformed Church, Baptist Union, Methodist, Quaker and Catholic groups, alongside Kate Nation of the Turtle Dove social enterprise.
South Cambridgeshire District Council is expected to approve the plans on 23 June, with a 999-year lease at a peppercorn rent due to be granted in August. The hub is expected to be completed in 2029.
Source: BBC