£1.2m Brierley Hill mosque in line for approval

A £1.2million mosque and community centre looks set to be built in Brierley Hill three years after a parking dispute forced leaders to withdraw plans.

Council officers have backed proposals to demolish Rizvia Mosque in Trinity Street and construct a new contemporary two-storey building with a glass dome and minaret in its place.

Members of the Muslim Welfare Association originally submitted similar plans in 2007 but following a year of wrangling over the number of car parking spaces that would be allowed, they were withdrawn.

They have now been resubmitted an application for planning permission with the number of spots increased from seven to 26.

A report going before Dudley Council's planning committee on December 13, when the final decision will be made, recommends approval of the scheme.

It says: "The proposed development is of an acceptable design, scale and layout, making appropriate provision for car parking and having a positive contribution on the existing appearance of this part of Brierley Hill."

Rizvia Mosque secretary Mohammed Rashid welcomed the recommendation.

"It is great news for the local community as they have been waiting a long time for this new mosque.

"We had to withdrew the plans because of problems over parking but this has now been resolved." Up to 150 people have been using the one-storey former scout hut in Trinity Street for daily worship since 1998, but plans for a new purpose-built mosque and community centre include just seven spots for cars.

The new building will be used as a Muslim community centre and will offer lessons for children.

The council has received one letter of objection to the development, which raised concerns that the development will exacerbate existing on-street parking problems along Trinity Street resulting from the use of the mosque.

The report says: "It is not envisaged that there would be any significant increase in numbers of users of the mosque, although the redevelopment of the site would provide sufficient space to allow for a future increase in the size of the congregation."