DUDLEY’S opposition leaders have welcomed the news that the council has won the legal battle to buy back land earmarked for a controversial replacement mosque.

The leader of Dudley’s UKIP party, Councillor Paul Brothwood said the ruling was “great news for Dudley taxpayers” as the Dudley Muslim Association has been ordered to pay the council’s legal costs.

He said the DMA had taken a "hostile approach" in terms of finding an alternative site to Hall Street, adding: "It has backfired.

“We did warn them and ask them to come and work with the council – it’s a shame really.”

Cllr Brothwood continued: “We are willing to bury the hatchet so I hope they come and sit down with the group leaders and discuss the way forward.

“At the end of the day, the council is here look after everyone in the borough and we acknowledge that a replacement mosque is needed.”

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the Dudley Conservative group, said it was “clear” from the two day Overview and Scrutiny Management Board hearing held in August to determine whether or not the council should accept a £325000 out-of-court settlement that the DMA “had a weak case”.

He said “common sense had prevailed” through the courts and continued: “The council, under two administrations has attempted to work the DMA to resolve this long standing issue.

“Unfortunately since the council rejected the DMA’s offer to buy back the land they have stubbornly refused to co-operate.

“Due to this stubborn and blinkered approach they now face having to return the land and pay the councils costs."

The Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Revd Graham Usher has urged everyone involved to “find a long term solution about which Dudley can be rightly proud”.

He said although the judgement would “inevitably bring a variety of emotions to people in Dudley”, it was important that the community moved forward “in a spirit of reconciliation and shared endeavour for the good of all in our town”.

He continued: “I am conscious that the existing Dudley Mosque is inadequate for the Muslim community’s needs and they are in urgent need of new and improved facilities.

“I stand ready to help facilitate a conversation between Dudley Council and the Dudley Muslim Association to try to find a new vision that will fulfil the community’s needs.”