A multi-faith foundation has failed in its challenge to the Millennium Commission’s refusal to grant £10m of lottery funding for a scheme described as “the most significant multi-cultural project in Britain for the Millennium”.
The Asha Foundation, of Herga House, London Road, Harrow on the Hill, launched S High Court challenge to the commission’s decision to reject its application for funding under its “fifth round of capital projects” procedure in 2000.
It had hoped to build the multi-faith Asha Centre for leisure, education and community activity on a 10-acre site in Honeypot Lane, Harrow.
The Foundation cited the Times’ description of the project as “the country’s first museum of immigration”, in which the Foundation had persuaded Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Christians to “bury their differences in support of the centre”.
Backing the Millennium Commissions decision, Lightman J said: “I must make it clear that my decision involves no findings on the merits of the project. The merits of the project are self-evident. At issue in the competition were not its merits, but its comparative merits with those of the other applicants.”
He added: “Unfortunately in any competition, as well as winners there are losers.”
Speaking after the verdict, the Asha Foundation said it was “disappointed” and “actively considering mounting an appeal”.
PLS News 15/05/02
