Appeal success over Muslim prayer hall
Plans for a new Muslim prayer hall and community centre in Old Hill will go ahead after an appeal against rejection was granted by the Planning Inspectorate.
Proposals to turn the former Sunday school and church building into the Islamic centre have twice been rejected by Sandwell Council. But the decision has been overturned after an appeal by the Old Hill Masjid and Community Centre. More than 145 objections were lodged to the second application.
That had been refused due to concerns about parking.
The former Sunday school and church building next to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, off Halesowen Road, will now be revamped.
Ward councillor John Tipper said he was disappointed the Planning Inspectorate had overruled Sandwell Council's decision.
He said: "Obviously it's not particularly helpful that the Inspectorate, based in Bristol, overruled the local decision of Sandwell's planning committee.
"There's not a great deal the council can do. People have the right to worship and use these buildings.
"I only hope we will explore all avenues to address the parking issues.
"I'm not against anybody's right to worship, but maybe there's ways we can work together."
Members of the Old Hill Masjid and Community Centre Association resubmitted the planning application after it was previously rejected in 2013 on the grounds there was a 'shortfall' in the number of car parking spaces available.
The association said council representatives only had concerns for a 'very brief period' of the week around busy Friday prayers. They claimed this amounted to a shortfall of around 21 spaces.
But the council's highway department last year also opposed the new centre, claiming it would lead to 'illegal and inconsiderate' parking.
Other reasons for objections listed in the report include 'too many mosques in the area' and it being 'contrary to the tradition and character of the area'.
When the project is completed, additional floor space would be created inside and as part of an extension to the rear of the present site.
The old building would be renovated inside and outside and would accommodate a large prayer room, classrooms, administrative offices and a multi-purpose community space.
The plans for the community centre come after a controversial planned mosque in Dudley sparked an angry demonstration by the English Defence League.
