WATERLOO - A formal planning battle is underway as neighbourhood critics try to block a proposed Muslim prayer centre in Waterloo.

Controversy over the prayer centre boiled over at community meetings last year when some comments deemed hateful were made.

Waterloo council refused to hear about religious differences in rezoning farmland to approve the prayer centre proposed by the Muslim Association of Canada.

Critics are now asking a provincial tribunal to overturn Waterloo's approval of the prayer centre. They cite concerns about future plans to build a large community centre at 510 Erbsville Rd., currently a house and garage on a busy road.

The tribunal, which rules on land use, held an advance hearing Thursday at city hall in Waterloo. The hearing is meant to settle ground rules for the skirmish, by identifying issues and participants and setting future dates.

Critics of the prayer centre, calling themselves the Waterloo West Community Association, say they have raised more than $35,000 to hire a lawyer to argue their case before the Ontario Municipal Board.