Oxford Islamic site gets green light

People living near Magdalen College, Oxford, have failed in their High Court attempt to stop the building of an Islamic centre. A judge rejected claims that the plan, backed by £20 million from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, had been unfairly approved by Oxford City Council.

The protesters said the centre, with a 23m-high dome and 33m-high tower, would swallow up a greenfield site near the River Cherwell. They said the councillors had been given "muddling and misleading" advice.

But Mr Justice Ouseley said the case was "unarguable" and blocked an application to seek judicial review.