A former bingo club in Dudley was proposed as the solution between Muslim leaders and those living in the community. The Dudley Muslim Association (DMA) is preparing a planning application for a community centre and mosque in Hall Street.

The council initially rejected plans for the Hall Street mosque and community centre but were later given the go ahead at an appeal hearing.

More than 50,000 signed petitions against the plans claiming the building would be out of keeping with Dudley’s medieval character. A High Court judge upheld the appeal decision.

The Gala Bingo club has been suggested to the Muslim leaders as a possible alternative and the council leader Councillor Anne Millward today revealed talks had been held over the building, which was also once Dudley Hippodrome. This last ditch effort has been rejected by the DMA who have opted to pursue its plan for a mosque and community centre in Hall Street.

Chairman Khurshid Ahmed revealed members could not wait any longer for the council to come up with a viable alternative. The DMA has outline planning permission for the scheme, which is expected to cost around £12million.

Councillor Millward added she was “disappointed” the DMA had not seriously considered the Gala Bingo site, adding: “I believed we were progressing quite well with the talks.”

The DMA Chairman claimed he “has not got the support of the community” for the change in site. This was the second alternative site the DMA have “ruled out”. The Dudley council have been in talks with the DMA for many months to try and find a solution following huge protests.