Initial Decision and Challenge Process

Monmouthshire council has approved a 30-year lease agreement allowing the vacant Abergavenny Library to be converted into a mosque by the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association.

The cabinet’s initial decision faced challenge from three councillors who initiated a formal review process. During this period, the Grade-II listed building suffered Islamophobic vandalism just before the scrutiny committee meeting.

Council Defense of Decision

At Wednesday’s meeting, council leader Mary Ann Brocklesby clarified that while the call-in process allowed for review, it couldn’t reverse the cabinet’s decision. Councillor Ben Callard, overseeing resources and leases, defended the original choice after addressing seven concerns raised by the scrutiny committee.

Callard maintained that the Muslim Community Association would be responsible tenants and justified the decision-making process. He explained that no target rent was set to avoid artificially lowering bids, and defended the four-week tender period as sufficient. The council received multiple competitive proposals, with the Muslim association submitting the highest bid.

Financial Arrangements and Concerns

Conservative group leader Richard John argued that the £500 monthly rent (£6,000 annually) represented a taxpayer subsidy. Callard countered that this was a commercial arrangement at market rate, with the association receiving no special community group discount. He emphasized that the lease places all maintenance responsibilities on the tenants for a building with “significant liabilities.”

Final Approval and Practical Considerations

The councillor also acknowledged the cabinet’s goal of providing the local Muslim community with a mosque facility. Regarding resident concerns about parking, the association committed to using three nearby public car parks.

The cabinet unanimously reaffirmed their support for leasing the former Carnegie library to the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association.

Original Article:

BBC News. (2025, July 3). Go-ahead for former library to be used as mosque. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1ljp3e4le4o