Protests on house move for mosque

Scores of protesters gathered to object to suggestions that part of an historic West Midlands house could be used as a mosque. It was standing-room only during a meeting.

Over 60 people squeezed into the Horticultural Training Centre off Hill Lane in Great Barr last night to have their say about the future of Red House, based in Red House Park.

Residents revealed hundreds of people had signed petitions against any future plans to use the Grade II listed 19th century house for religious purposes.

Great Barr businessman Shiraz Peer, aged 40, has said he is looking into the possibility of taking over the building, with some of the rooms for Islamic faith activities, and the rest given over to wider community use.

No plans have yet been submitted for the £5 million scheme.

While many of the residents last night insisted they wanted the building brought back into public use, some members of the Friends of Red House Park group criticised members of the public for not previously showing any support for their six-year campaign to restore the vandal-hit building.

The friends group is now planning another public meeting along with Sandwell Council representatives in order to update people on the future plans for the building, which the council put up for sale, after closing three years ago.

It is currently leased by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers who have mothballed it.