I WRITE with reference to Didcot resident Chris Halford’s over-emotional reaction to the Sikh house/temple, in Old Marston, being forced to close (Oxford Mail, May 27).
I have to say that, much as I agree that Sikhs have a peaceful inoffensive religion, Chris needs to go beyond the Oxford Mail story and investigate and understand the detail from the point of view of the Old Marston neighbours, rather than making himself look rather foolish in print.
Like many religions nowadays, many of the celebrants of this religion arrive by car and either block up local residents’ parking spaces or park on the grassed spaces between pavement and road – cutting up the grass and leaving the area as a visual mess for the remainder of the residents.
These actions alone do not lend themselves to acquiring much sympathy from those directly adversely affected.
If the Sikhs had either parked with consideration, or even arrived via Park & Ride, I’m sure that there would have been no complaints, and their religious services would have continued unaffected.
Chris does make one valid point however, stating: “other religions receive far better treatment than this minority group.’’ Oxford City Council bends over backwards to ensure Muslims get whatever they want – such as the Marston Road Mosque/learning centre.
Would any other religion, or resident, be allowed to continue to modify a building, without full planning permission, unchallenged?
Of course not. So, again, there is one rule for Oxford taxpayers, and another for some religious followers.
Mick Heavey
Oxford Road
Old Marston
Oxford
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