Many people living near the proposed site for the new mosque in Dudley say they don’t want it and believe an out-of-court cash settlement offer should be higher, a panel debating the long running saga was told.
Dudley Muslim Association has offered Dudley Council £325,000 to drop court action blocking plans to build the mosque off Hall Street.
Arguments for and against accepting the sum were heard by councillors yesterday.
If the proposal from the DMA is accepted the group would retain ownership of the site and the council would end its bid to invoke its buy-back clause.
The offer is being considered by the council’s overview and scrutiny management board. The panel meet again later today to discuss the matter.
Proceedings began with a public forum in which six residents gave their views on the offer.
Among those speaking was Phillip Wimlett, who lives in Selborne Road near the proposed site. He said the location of the site had been the main sticking point and described the offer as derisory.
He said: “Most people living in the St Thomas’s ward are opposed to the mosque and even more so those people very close to it.
“The £325,000 offer is a derisory amount for that land. The first priority must be to Dudley taxpayers and an industrial use would create jobs.”
Jerry Langford, who has organised counter demonstrations when far right groups have marched in the town against the mosque, said the offer was a chance to break the deadlock.
He said: “In September there is another proposed visit [from a far right protest group] and we need to start taking decisions as a community to roll them back.
“It is my position as a member of the community that we need to deal with this properly and send out the right message now.”
Dudley Council leader Pete Lowe said: “We have had an offer that addresses our legal requirements.
“I recognise there will be firm views on both sides saying either this is good value for money so let’s go ahead and accept the offer or this is not value for money and let’s continue to pursue the litigation planned for October.
“It is the job of this panel to determine if the offer is for the appropriate amount.”
Dudley Council and the DMA are due back in court in October. So far the council has spent £213,000 in legal costs. It is believed the value of the site is around £150,000.
More than 80,000 people signed petitions against plans for the mosque, which would replace the Dudley Central Mosque in Castle Hill.
And a petition on change.org urging council bosses to reject the DMA’s offer has been signed by 1,268 people.
Proceedings were set to continue today (TUE) after which the panel will make a recommendation on the offer to the council’s cabinet.