• I DON’T think it is “hypocritical pseudo-concern” for many to point out the discomfort that a mosque in Rupert Street will cause to the LGBT community in Soho, a short walk from the proposed development, (LGBT+ Forum backing for mosque, May 29).

Perhaps David Gleeson, who made the “pseudo-concern” remark, missed the nasty protests outside Birmingham schools by Muslim parents, whose children were being taught about the existence of same-sex couples.

It is unclear who the Westminster LGBT+ Forum speaks for in supporting the application: in their own words, they are “a small voluntary group”. They certainly don’t speak for me, as an LGBT resident of Westminster.

However, this is actually beside the point, because religious grounds are not a valid reason for objecting to a planning application on Westminster City Council’s website.

It is, however, reasonable to object on the basis that the Trocadero should remain as a site for entertainment and retail use. The impact of 1,000 worshippers in an already crowded area and the effect on our overstretched public transport should also be considered. It would not fit in with an era of social distancing, which may become the “new normal”.

The planning application has been made by the Aziz Foundation, run by billionaire Asif Aziz. His Criterion Capital owns the Trocadero, and reportedly threatened its tenants with winding-up notices if they failed to pay their rent at the height of the coronavirus. If this application is approved, it will show that money talks, and such plutocrats can do as they please.

The power of the super-rich should concern all of us, and questions asked of the ulterior motives behind a “community centre” that will mainly be used by a select minority.

I would urge everyone to object to this planning application if they want to keep the spirit of the West End alive.

The mob has already piled on to support the application: if that is the way things are going, I would rather have my privacy, lest I be targeted for apostasy.

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