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More than 300 people attended a Penrith Council meeting on Monday night that voted to uphold its decision to allow an Islamic community centre to be built in Kemps Creek.
Residents and observers filled Penrith Civic Centre, while people stood outside protesting and chanting messages for and against the development.
The extraordinary meeting was called by outspoken independent Liberal councillor Marcus Cornish, who has campaigned against Muslim developments in the area. In late November, council voted eight to five on a recommendation to approve an application for the two-storey, 600 square metre community centre. Cr Cornish hoped to overturn that decision on Monday night, but his motion was defeated with only three other councillors supporting him.