British Hindus in Cambridgeshire have been left disappointed after the county’s first planned Hindu temple was not approved, with the council awarding the site to a Christian-led network instead.
South Cambridgeshire District Council has awarded a 999-year lease on the Northstowe plot at a nominal peppercorn rent to the Northstowe Church Network. Hindu Samaj Northstowe had proposed building a Hindu temple along with an interfaith and wellbeing centre, but the plan received a lower score in the council’s evaluation process.
The decision has sparked concern among local Hindus, who say the need for a permanent temple in Cambridgeshire has been overlooked. At present, there is no Hindu temple in the county, forcing devotees to travel long distances to places like Birmingham or Wembley for important religious observances. For many families, this means added hardship during festivals, prayer gatherings, and overnight rituals that require proper temple space.
The absence of a dedicated temple has also made it difficult to celebrate major festivals with full dignity. Temporary venues, shifting arrangements, and private storage of sacred murtis have created practical and emotional strain for the community. HSN chair Aparna Nigam-Saxena has questioned the fairness and transparency of the selection process and said the group may consider an appeal.
This issue is bigger than one plot of land. It reflects the wider challenge of ensuring equal religious space for all communities in the UK. For Hindus in Cambridgeshire, the verdict is a painful setback, especially after years of waiting for a permanent place of worship.
Cambridgeshire’s Hindu community misses out on the county’s first temple as the council grants the Northstowe site to a church network instead.
