Grade II-listed Abergavenny building targeted by Islamophobic vandals as Cabinet confirms 30-year lease despite calls for review and threatened legal action
A former library built by Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie is set to become Monmouthshire’s first mosque, after councillors rejected demands to overturn the decision despite vandalism and a threatened legal challenge.
Monmouthshire Council’s Cabinet confirmed on Wednesday it would grant a 30-year lease for the empty Abergavenny Library to the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association at £500 per month, following a contentious review process.
The Grade II-listed building, which closed as a library in 2015, was targeted by Islamophobic vandalism just two days before a scrutiny committee meeting to consider the call-in request, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Call-In Process Triggers Review
Three backbench councillors forced a review of the Cabinet’s original decision using the council’s call-in process, which allows members to scrutinise decisions before they take effect.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Council Leader Mary Ann Brocklesby clarified that whilst the call-in asked the Cabinet to review the decision, it “does not have the authority to overturn the decision”.
Councillor Ben Callard, the Llanfoist and Govilon member responsible for resources including leases, addressed seven points raised by the scrutiny committee but remained unconvinced about changing the original decision.
“I think it was the correct one and Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association will be good tenants for this property,” Callard told the meeting.
“Taxpayers Will Not Be Subsidising” Mosque
Conservative group leader Richard John claimed taxpayers would be “subsidising” the mosque at the agreed rent of £6,000 annually, suggesting the Carnegie-funded building should be sold instead.
Callard firmly rejected the assertion. “Taxpayers will not be subsiding it,” he said, explaining the building was put out for competitive tender and the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association submitted the highest bid.
He defended the four-week timeframe for the tender process, stating the council received a number of “competitive” bids. Callard also dismissed suggestions that an independent survey should have been commissioned, noting the authority has the capacity to conduct such assessments itself.
The Cabinet member described the building as having “significant liabilities” and confirmed the lease is on a “full repair” basis, transferring all maintenance responsibilities to the tenants.
Crucially, Callard revealed the Muslim association would not benefit from the subsidised rental agreement that other community groups leasing council buildings enjoy, characterising it instead as a commercial deal.
He also acknowledged it was an “ambition” of the Cabinet that the local Muslim community should have a mosque, noting Abergavenny has the highest number of Muslims in Monmouthshire but no mosque, whilst Newport has eight.
Parking Concerns Addressed
Residents’ concerns over car parking in the area were acknowledged during the meeting. Callard confirmed the association has committed to using three nearby public car parks.
The Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association currently meets at Abergavenny’s St Michael’s Centre, sharing the facility with other users and religious groups.
Legal Challenge Dropped
Following the Cabinet’s confirmation, three councillors and a local resident threatened judicial review proceedings with backing from the Christian Legal Centre.
Conservative councillors Rachel Buckler and Louise Brown, independent Simon Howarth, and resident John Hardwick sent a pre-action letter in September raising concerns about “religious impartiality”.
However, the threatened legal challenge was dropped this week after the council responded to the initial deadline. A council spokesman said it had “absolute confidence in its decision-making and governance arrangements”.
Cabinet Stands United
All seven Cabinet members confirmed their support for the original decision, with the lease being offered to the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association.
Council Leader Brocklesby said: “As a council, we are committed to working with our community groups to ensure that all residents of Monmouthshire feel at home. I look forward to the community events that will bring the residents of Abergavenny together to celebrate and learn about each other’s religions and cultures.”
Callard added: “Providing the association with a stable building for them to use as a place of worship and community gatherings is essential to the council’s aims of creating a diverse and welcoming county.”
The Carnegie library, built in 1905 with a £4,000 grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, served as Abergavenny’s library for over a century before relocating to the Town Hall. It was most recently used as a base for the council’s pupil referral unit before that service moved to alternative premises.
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Image Credit:
Abergavenny Library — photo by Phil Nash, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
