WORK has started to convert a former health centre in Brierley Hill into a mosque.

But, while proposals for a large mosque in Hall Street, Dudley, have sparked protests and a wrangle between Dudley Council and borough Muslim leaders, there have been no objections to the Brierley Hill scheme.

The Jamia Mosque Rizvia, based in Trinity Street, Brierley Hill, did not have to apply for planning permission to convert the former Albion Street Health Centre into a religious centre - because health centres and places of worship fall under the same class of use of "non-residential institutions" under national planning law.

However, the mosque applied to Dudley Council to make changes to the 1970s building, including installing new doors, windows and a pitched roof, as part of a scheme to create a new place of worship, combined with education and community facilities.

The council has approved the application, saying no objections have been received.

A report by planning officers says conversion work inside the building has already begun.

"As this is a relatively modern building the external alterations are considered to be appropriate in terms of scale and appearance," says the report.

"The proposal makes a positive contribution to place making through high quality design and the Brierley Hill High Street Conservation Area's special architectural and historic interest would be safeguarded."

Brierley Hill councillor Zafar Islam, ex- chairman of Dudley Community Relations Council, said he had stressed the Trinity Street mosque should talk to neighbours and invite them into the building as soon as possible.

"I'm not aware of any opposition to the mosque at the former Albion Street Health Centre," said councillor Islam.

"Developers and communities must try to work together."