A religious foundation has won a bid to keep a small building it constructed without planning permission.

The Imam Hussein Foundation Centre on the Kingswood estate successfully appealed a decision made by Watford Borough Council last December.

The council’s planning committee had decided a canopy built between a worship hall and house did not “fit in with its surroundings”. The application also drew seven objections from neighbours.

Read more: Council turns down retrospective application for religious canopy

The foundation decided to contest the council’s decision and will now be allowed to keep the canopy after a Government-appointed planning inspector reached a different conclusion.

In his report published on July 14, Inspector Philip Staddon recognised the canopy was “large” but said it was not “prominent”. He also noted the timber had since been stained a darker colour which was deemed to be “neat and acceptable”.

Read more: Religious foundation appeals council's refusal over its canopy building

Watford Observer: The scene pictured before the canopy was constructed. Credit: Google MapsThe scene pictured before the canopy was constructed. Credit: Google Maps

The canopy provides a sheltered but open area for worshippers visiting the centre in North Approach that was formerly Kingswood Baptist Church.

As well as providing a place of worship, the Imam Hussein Foundation centre provides a range of community support facilities including in education.