Mosque back on agenda

10:39am Wednesday 13th February 2008

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AN appeal against the rejected plans to build a £18m mosque and community centre in Dudley faces D-Day with a public inquiry set to take place in the town.

The controversial multi-million pound application by Dudley Muslim Association for vacant land on Hall Street met with heated opposition from more than 22,000 residents last year.

Now, 12 months after the plans were unanimously binned by members of Dudley Council's Development Control Committee, officials from the Bristol-based National Planning Inspectorate will hold a two-day public inquiry at Dudley Council house, Priory Road, from Tuesday June 10 this year.

The inquiry will feature a site visit by national planning bosses who will go away after the probe to mull over their decision.

Dudley Muslim Association launched their appeal last summer after claiming they received no help from Dudley Council in finding another site in the town after plans were rejected.

Association chairman Khurshid Ahmed said: "It's just the same application, the same appeal, its just that a date has been set.

"Both sides will put their case at the inquiry on June 10. A date has now been fixed.

"Its just a date set for the inquiry, nothing more than this. There is nothing more to say on this at the moment.

"This is nothing new, we've been waiting for a long, long time for this."

The proposed complex will feature facilities for the community including indoor sports hall, IT training centre and daytime facilities for Dudley pensioners. A total of 112 new jobs will be created by the project.

Plans also include space for two flats and underground parking to ease conjestion fears.

Last year's submitted plans were rejected for a host of reasons including concerns the project would not create enough employment opportunities, the land should be left for industrial use and would not benefit the whole of the community.

A Dudley Council spokesperson explains how June's probe will work: "The inquiry is a formal process run by an inspector.

"Barristers for both parties present their cases and there is an opportunity to cross examine.

"The inspector will also have a site visit and will then make his decision at a later date.

"The public inquiry is scheduled to run for two days."

What do you think of plans for a public inquiry on the Mosque? Write to Dudley News, St John's House, St John's Road, Stourbridge, DY8 1EH, email paul.walker@midlands.newsquest.co.uk or click on the comments section of this story at www.dudleynews.co.uk