Source: expressandstar.com

The Baitul Ghafoor Mosque

The plans to extend The Baitul Ghafoor Mosque on Long Lane have been rejected by the Dudley Council.

More than 225 residents signed a petition opposing the plans, fearing the minarets and dome would be out of keeping with the building, which is a former Methodist church.

There were also concerns the development would increase the profile of the mosque and lead to more visitors as well as noise and traffic.

Dudley Council has refused planning permission for the minarets and dome, saying work would be ‘highly inappropriate and immensely damaging’ to the building.

But today mosque leaders hit back at the complaints, saying all they wanted were symbols of an Islamic mosque – describing them as the equivalent of a church spire.

They have vowed to appeal the council decision.

The Ahmadiyya Mosque was opened inside the former Methodist Church two years ago and in May leaders applied for …read more @ expressandstar.com