Plans for an £18 million mosque and community centre in the Black Country are to be recommended for approval, the Express & Star has learned.

Protesters have handed in petitions with more than 1,000 signatures and written hundreds of letters of objection.

But sources have revealed planning officers are set to give the scheme, for derelict land between Hall Street and the Flood Street island in Dudley, the green light.

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Plans for an £18 million mosque and community centre in the Black Country are to be recommended for approval, the Express & Star has learned.

Protesters have handed in petitions with more than 1,000 signatures and written hundreds of letters of objection.

But sources have revealed planning officers are set to give the scheme, for derelict land between Hall Street and the Flood Street island in Dudley, the green light.Councillors on the development control committee will then have to decide whether to follow the recommendation and approve the application – or defy the advice and reject the scheme at the next planning meeting on February 27.

Ukip councillor Malcolm Davis, who has led opposition to the multi-million pound proposals, said recommending the scheme for approval would be a “monumental disgrace”.

Dudley Muslim Association submitted plans for the £12million community centre and £6million mosque with 65ft minaret on January 15. The deadline for comments is Thursday.

Association Chairman Khurshid Ahmed said modifications had been made to the scheme after consultation with residents.

“On planning considerations, we expect the application to be recommended for approval,” he said.