Walsall mosque scheme moving nearer

Fresh plans to push ahead with the transformation of a controversial new mosque in Walsall have been submitted to the council.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association won an appeal in 2010 to convert a disused warehouse in Vicarage Place into a mosque, despite hundreds of objections and plans being thrown out by Walsall Council in December 2009.

Permission is now being sought to demolish part of the building and make alterations to the inside and outside, including the addition of a dome and minaret.

Hundreds of people descended on the town hall in Walsall to oppose proposals for the mosque in 2009, and four petitions were submitted against the application bearing 848 names.

There were concerns about the location of the site and traffic congestion fears, as well as objections from other Muslims disagreeing with the Ahmadiyya interpretation of Islam.

But an appeal was lodged soon after the refusal.