Planners give all-clear for Brierley Hill mosque

A £1.2 million mosque and community centre will be built in the Black Country after councillors gave the go-ahead.

The proposals for Rizvia Mosque in Trinity Street, Brierley Hill, were called "a great facility for the whole community".

Dudley Council's development control committee chiefs praised the scheme last night.

The decision to grant planning permission comes three years after a parking dispute forced leaders to withdraw plans. The existing mosque will be demolished under the proposals.

In its place, there will be a new contemporary two-storey building with a glass dome and minaret.

Members of the Muslim Welfare Association originally submitted similar plans in 2007 but they were withdrawn amid wrangles over parking.

In the new application the number of parking spots increased from seven to 26.

Ward councillor Rachel Harris spoke in support of the plans at last night's meeting. "This is about the local community being able to get together in one building," she said.

"The unobtrusive contemporary design is very modern and will be a vast improvement on the current buildings on the site."

A report to the committee recommended approval of the scheme.

Rizvia Mosque secretary Mohammed Rashid welcomed the decision.

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

Up to 150 people have been using the one-storey former scout hut in Trinity Street for daily worship since 1998.

The council received one letter of objection raising fears that the development will add to parking problems in Trinity Street.