16,000 say no to mosque

The dossier of signatures was delivered by Ukip Councillor Malcolm Davis to Dudley Council yesterday - the deadline day for objections.

Despite the overwhelming opposition to the project, the Express & Star revealed the £18 million scheme earmarked for land in Hall Street had been recommended for approval in "exceptional circumstances."

Planners have admitted the scheme does go against planning guidelines which say industrial land should be used for developments generating industrial jobs.Councillors on the development control committee now have to decide whether to approve the application - or reject the advice and throw out the scheme at a public meeting on Tuesday.

Ukip Councillor Malcolm Davis, who has led opposition to the multi-million pound proposals, previously said recommending the scheme for approval would be a "monumental disgrace".

Dudley Muslim Association submitted plans for the £12million community centre and £6million mosque with 65ft minaret on January 15. Opposition to the project has grown after the original plans sparked protests from more than 2,000 people in 2005.

Despite Dudley Muslim Association saying it would allay people's fears, the revised scheme has attracting even more objections.

Protestors say the scheme would not fit in with Dudley's heritage and would cause traffic congestion.

But Dudley Muslim Association Khurshid Ahmed said most of the objections were based on misconceptions about the size of the project and how it would be funded.

By Heather Loat