Planners approve West Bromwich mosque

A new Islamic centre and mosque opposed by residents will be built in West Bromwich, replacing an existing place of worship around 100 yards away.

Planners unanimously approved an application by the The Bangladeshi Muslim Welfare Association to relocate its existing site in Dartmouth Street further down the road to the vacant site of the old Hop and Barleycorn pub.

The approval came despite objections from dozens of residents who fear the new building will create traffic and parking problems.

The new centre will feature a distinctive dome and minaret and the building will be 37ft tall at its highest point.

It will include a prayer hall with capacity for 192 mats, a lecture room, community hall and also have a separate women's prayer room.

The committee spent less than 10 minutes debating the scheme at a meeting at Sandwell Council House in Oldbury.

Nearby residents had submitted a 60-name petition against the plans voicing fears about parking, excessive noise and loss of light.

People living near to the site have said they worry it will make their lives a misery.

However mosque bosses said the association was in urgent need of the new centre to accommodate members.

They claimed parking would not be affected by the plans because most people using the mosque live in the area and would walk.

Following last night's approval, association chairman Sheikh Mohammed Amin said: "I feel really pleased about the decision.

"We have been working extremely hard over the last few months with the council.

"We have been struggling for some time now with our existing building and this is something that will be purpose-built."

Planning chairman Councillor Ann Jaron said: "Nobody has really got any major problems with it, it is not going to be a new place of worship, it is just going to replace an old one."