SOUTHALL, LONDON: The biggest Sikh Gurdwara (Temple) in the western world’s to be demolished and replaced with a new 655 million British pounds building if architects plans get the go ahead from the council of city of South all in England.

New and spectacular British pounds 6.5 million Sikh temple has been given a mixed reaction by the Sikh community.

The public exhibition for the temple in Havelock Road has been running all week, with the public being asked for their suggestions and criticisms.

While it has been unanimously acclaimed as a beautiful structure, there are fears that it will tower over surrounding houses, and that thousands of worshippers at special festivals could cause traffic problems.

The scheme would totally demolish the existing building, a former dairy, and replace it with marble building surrounding by fountains and two ponds.

A model and architects drawings have been on display since Tuesday at the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha temple and South all Library in Osterley Park Road.

The scheme would also create a wedding hall, reading and prayer rooms and kitchens.

Among the people at South all Library looking at the plans were Dalvara Singh Rao, 48, of Church Road, South all. He said “The Community needs this because of all religion .It is for every one and it ago.

I hope it goes ahead as soon as possible.”

Milap Singh, 40, of Western Road, South all said “On the whole I hope it goes ahead. It will be a social place as wells a religious lace,

The congregation will be happy because they have been waiting for this for years. I will be sorry if this does not go through but would like to see some modifications.

“There seems to be little wheel chair access and would like to see more traditional design, but everyone is very excited.”

General Secretary of the temple Beant Singh said people should be made aware of the plans before we go ahead. The exhibition is here so everyone can comment and we want their suggestions. It will be one of the jewels of South all.”

But South all planning campaigner George Twyman said “Is it ever going to be built? What most people won’t think of looking at is the fact that it will be 90 ft above the houses in Hammond road .i can’t see it getting passed by the council.

It’s a good idea to have the car parking underground but 135 spaces are not going to cater for 20,000 people. That’s the main drawback.

South all will come 10 a halt, where are all the cars and buses going to go?

It’s a lovely looking building, it’s not a monstrosity by any stretch of the imagination but this is not the right place for it..

Article extracted from this publication >> March 13, 1992