Court rumours denied

Businessman Terry Zaman has scotched rumours that he is planning to buy the empty Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court building and turn it into a mosque.
SPECIALIST: Batley and Dewsbury Magistrates Court.SPECIALIST: Batley and Dewsbury Magistrates Court.
SPECIALIST: Batley and Dewsbury Magistrates Court.

The building in Grove Street is under offer but Mr Zaman insisted he had no designs on the site.

“I am not buying it. It is not under offer with me,” he said. “Even if I was I would not put a mosque there.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The purpose-built court house was closed in March 2012 alongside 141 other magistrates and county courts as part of government cost-cutting measures.

It was revealed in November that it was still costing £22,000 per month to maintain after the Ministry of Justice released the figures.

Mr Zaman said he knew who was in discussions with GVA Property Management about purchasing the building, but refused to reveal their identity.

A spokesman for GVA confirmed that the former court house was still under offer, but could not reveal any further details.