Council approves plans for mosque

Proposals to extend a mosque in the Black Country and build three minarets have been approved by council planners despite concerns over traffic.

The Bangladeshi Muslim Welfare Association has been allowed to build a third-storey extension at Halford's Lane Mosque in Smethwick.

The size of the prayer room will be almost doubled and three 14ft high minarets will be put on the roof.

Paramjit Sehdeva, agent for the association, told Sandwell Council's planning committee that there would be no more people using the building than at present.

He said: "We are not looking for an increased membership."

The plans were before the committee's last meeting on May 27 where they elected to have a site visit. Three letters of objection and 16 emails of support were received.