A DECISION on whether Halesowen Muslims will appeal against the rejection of plans to add two 21ft minarets and a central dome to a former Methodist church is expected next month.

The proposals for The Baitul Ghafoor Mosque were thrown out by Dudley planners in July in the wake of hundreds of objections.

The scale of the planned extensions to the ex Long Lane chapel was condemned as excessive and out of keeping for the area.

But the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, which bought building and converted it into a mosque two years ago, said the additions would be in proportion and were important to members as symbols of their religion.

The association’s local president Dr Masood Majoka said a decision on whether to appeal had been held up due to the organisation of their annual international convention in Hampshire this weekend.

Dr Majoka said: “Once we are back from there I expect a decision in two to three weeks.”

The matter will be considered by the national president before being put before His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmed, head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya community.

An estimated 30, 000 followers from all over the world, including 150 delegates from Halesowen, will converge on Hampshire for the three-day event starting tomorrow (Friday).

They will make their annual pledge to make a difference to the communities in which they live, to promote peace and universal brotherhood.