The people have spoken. Dudley councillors, with the overwhelming support of the townspeople, have voted against a massive new mosque.

In a perfect world, that would be the end of it. In the real world, however, this project will almost certainly go to a planning appeal.

It will then be decided by the Government, in the shape of the Department of the Environment.

In other words, one of our region’s most divisive issues in living memory will be resolved not by local people but by some bright-eyed New Labour minister out to make a name.

It may be the law but it certainly isn’t democracy.

There is no point in pretending that this mosque is just another planning matter.

In their thousands, Dudley folk protested against a building which would change not only the skyline but the cultural flavour of the town.

It was not only the wrong design. It came at the wrong time, too. Over the years the Black Country has seen a magnificent array of mosques and temples erected. Ten years ago, another mosque – even of this size – might have been welcomed in Dudley.

But times have changed and one of the most regrettable aspects of the global war on terror has been the divisive impact it has had on British society in some areas.

If the well-intentioned Muslims behind the Dudley project do not understand the post 9/11 concerns of local people, they certainly should.

The wisest course for them now is to take heed of local sensitivities, think again and produce another design in another site. Something smaller, less obtrusive and perhaps delayed for a year or two might be acceptable.

To fight this particular project to the bitter end would merely stir more division, prejudice and hostility.

The municipal tombola spins

Councillors in Brighton have turned education into a lottery.

Out go traditional catchment areas for schools. In comes a municipal tombola to allocate places at the city’s best schools.

This is social engineering and, if history is any guide, it will come horribly unstuck.

The aim is to help children from less affluent homes into good schools. But that can only work if wealthier parents are prepared to see their children sent to poor schools.

It simply will not happen. Many of these parents will opt out of the state system and into private schools. The result will be that bad schools will get worse. The losers will be children from the poorest homes.

The only lesson these youngsters will learn is that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Whether those intentions ever included “education, education, education” seems entirely irrelevant when the reality is so plain for all to see.