Legal action over mosque

Legal action was today being launched by Dudley Council to claim back the proposed site of a multi-million pound mosque from Muslim leaders.

Leaders delivered a letter to Dudley Muslim Association by hand saying they can reclaim the site in Hall Street, Dudley, at a previously agreed price.

DMA chairman Khurshid Ahmed today said the land was "not for sale", paving the way for a long and expensive court case.

The council has set aside £250,000 to cover costs. The money covers the cost of the land at £140,000, plus £110,000 in legal costs.

Council leader Anne Millward and deputy Les Jones today revealed the decision to attempt to reclaim the site. It followed a behind-closed-doors session of the cabinet last night.

Under the terms of a land-swap deal the council believes it has the right to buy back the site, citing a condition which said the development had to be substantially built by the end of 2008.

Muslim leaders say the deal was compromised when the council refused an original planning application for the scheme, expected to cost £12million.

The DMA announced earlier this month it was preparing a full planning application for the Hall Street proposal as discussions over an alternative site have so far proved fruitless.

Outline permission was granted by a High Court judge last July.

Councillor Jones said: "This is about us protecting our position as they have protected theirs."

He added the council's lawyers believe the authority is in a strong position to win any court case due to delays in the DMA submitting a full planning application.

Mr Ahmed said: "This decision is not unexpected but the land is not for sale. We shall be making an application for full planning permission to develop the facilities we have planned."