The trustees of the Borehamwood Islamic Society (BIS) have purchased this leasehold to secure a permanent home in the area. The group has operated from the site under a temporary agreement since 2020, having outgrown its previous premises.
The council supported the principle of a mosque and community centre here because it recognised the need for facilities that serve residents and reflect the borough's diverse and growing population. The council's leadership has been clear in its policy of actively supporting Hertsmere's faith communities as local stakeholders and service providers, who play a valuable role in civic and community life.
The council and BIS have formally exchanged contracts and completed a 999-year lease transfer for the specific footprint of the former Guide Hut site.
Maxwell Park itself is unaffected. The lease relates only to the former Girl Guide hut and its surrounding land - no parkland or green space is being lost.
BIS has been established in the area for many years and sought a permanent base to serve its congregation and the wider community. The proposal also offered the chance to bring a previously unoccupied site back into permanent active use. The new community centre will be open to everyone locally.
Any future construction will remain subject to the standard, rigorous statutory planning process. That process would consider all relevant matters, including traffic, parking and environmental impact, alongside full public consultation.
The decision to grant the lease, taken in December 2024, reflects the council's commitment to securing the best financial and social value for the public. The trustees have shown a clear intent to invest in the site, replacing the dilapidated former hut with a brand-new, self-funded mosque and community hub. The leasehold was sold at market value. We acknowledge it might have achieved a higher price with planning permission for residential use, but no such permission was in place, nor had it been applied for. The community and social value delivered on top of the market price satisfied council officers that the sale met the council's 'best value' duty.
Hertsmere is a diverse and welcoming borough, and we are proud of the strong relationships between our communities. While we welcome open, democratic debate about local developments, we strongly condemn and will continue to reject any attempt to use these matters to stoke division or spread misleading commentary. We welcome the recent statement from Hertsmere's Faith Leaders reinforcing this stance.
Hertsmere is a safe and welcoming place for everyone, and the council will always work to keep it that way.