Controversial plans to convert an empty town centre warehouse into a mosque have been rejected after more than 800 complaints.

Several hundreds of people descended on Walsall Town Hall last night in opposition to the proposals to transform the derelict building in Vicarage Place.

Four petitions with a combined total of 848 signatures were submitted to Walsall Council against the application by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK.

Members of the development control committee refused the scheme on a number of grounds including it being in an unsuitable location and would cause traffic congestion.

Scores of people who packed the council chamber’s public gallery cheered as the decision was announced.

Resident Zia-ul-Haq, aged 56, of Hart Street, said: “It is a victory for the people, there are enough places of worship in the area. There was not a single person who supported it.

“Something like that should be to serve the community but none of the local residents were going to benefit from it. It is great that common sense has prevailed.”

Imam Saeed, 65, from the Aisha Mosque and Islamic Centre, added: “We are happy the right decision has been made. It would have been a public nusiance and is a relief.”