Controversial £500k Walsall mosque plans revived

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association has lodged a proposal to convert the warehouse in Vicarage Place into the mosque.

The group had won an appeal five years ago to build the mosque with a minaret and community centre after it was rejected by Walsall Council. But the time limit to start work had passed and a fresh planning application is now required to start work.

Hundreds of people descended on the town hall in Walsall to oppose the plan in 2009. Four petitions were submitted against the application, bearing 848 names.

There were concerns about the location of the site and traffic congestion.

Following the council's refusal, an appeal was lodged which saw the decision overturned and permission granted.

Dr Azkir Siddiq, president of the Walsall branch, said funding issues had stalled progress at the site to the point.

But he now said the community was 'determined' to go ahead with a project.

He said: "These plans are still very much crucial to this community and to our future.

"We have waited for so long to get things moving and we have had to fight hard to get where we are today, which only makes us more determined. We have had to make sacrifices to get here and that means we can't give up half-way.

"As far as the controversy and opposition goes, we are more than happy to open a dialogue with anyone who has any questions about our plans, which are only to do good things for Walsall. We want to start work as soon as we can and hope the re-application process goes smoothly."

The disused warehouse in the St Matthews ward has been left empty for a number of years. The group currently worships at the rear of a commercial building in Bradford Street, Walsall.

A statement attached to the application said: "This development takes a disused building that has been left to decay and become a blot on the landscape of Walsall and regenerates it to form a mosque, community facility and dwelling for the Ahmadiyya Community of Walsall."

Councillor Mohammed Arif, who represents the St Matthews ward and is a former planning committee member, said: "I would be pleased to see the site turned into something of benefit to the community.

"I know the issue has been sensitive in the borough, but we live in a country where people are allowed freedom of speech and freedom of faith."