The Council of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has reportedly approved a 125 year ground lease to the Hindu Society of Maidenhead for a Hindu Community Centre. The charity which works to promote "Hindu religion, Hindu culture, and its values in Maidenhead" got the consent for £73,000, conditional on their obtaining planning permission.
HSM currently meets in a school, monthly, and celebrates festivals around the year. Its website says, "We organise 12 themed events every year. Each event has a cultural element, social activity and lunch. We are a collective voice for Hindus in the local community and have interfaith representation." The organisation had long been fighting for a centre in Maidenhead Riverside, plans that were opposed be local residents who believed building it would just add to their existing parking woes. President Moham Malhotra, along with members of the organisation's working committee including Padam Kashyap, Yash Maudgil, Swati Rao, Kailash Ratti, Rajinder Sharma, Seema Sharma, and Shashi Vij were determined to win the area.
The motion was passed with a majority of two thirds, despite opposition from two of the three councillors. Council leader Cllr Simon Dudley who represents Maidenhead Riverside, backed HSM's plans. The one one-storeyed building will include a hall, and a kitchen for the group to hold educational, cultural, and social events. It comes with parking space for 13-16 cars.
