HOPES of building a new mosque in Worcester have hit a major setback after a bid by the Muslim community to buy a potential site was rejected.

The community hoped to build a mosque in Taylors Lane, between Foregate Street and Sansome Walk, on land owned by Worcestershire County Council, which had a guide price of £230,000.

However, the council accepted a higher bid from an unknown buyer - believed to be around 30 per cent more than the community's offer.

Discuss

About 50 members of the 2,000-strong Worcester Muslim community supported by city MP Mike Foster and city councillor Rob Peachey met the council's chief executive, Rob Sykes, on Friday to discuss the issue.

Under Government rules, councils are allowed to accept a lower bid for land they sell but it must reflect the community benefit achieved.

However, Coun Peachey, who has been trying to help them find a site since 1988, said the difference between bids was so large, the council could not agree the community benefit would justify the price difference.

He said the Muslim community were disheartened but had not given up.

"A lot of the Muslim community felt let down by the council and felt they weren't being given a fair deal," he said.

"I think part of that is the understanding of the system but also a genuine feeling that, although they're citizens of the city and pay their rates, they don't get the sorts of consideration when it comes to delivery of service."

A county council spokesman said: "We're not able to reveal who the successful bidder is, or what the final price is, because of the commercial nature of the agreement.

"Still, we're confident we've accepted the best price for the residents of the county."

Coun Adrian Hardman, the county council's cabinet member for resources, said: "I've looked into the sale of the site and I'm happy the process was carried out in accordance with county council policies.

"Every stage has been fair and above board. We have a duty to ensure best value for the council tax-payer and I'm sure we're achieving this."

Coun Peachey said they were now focusing on four other sites.

"We remain hopeful but really the options are reduced and we're now scratching around looking at sites which are quite frankly, from the Muslims' point of view, not the best option."