A PLAN to build a car showroom and village shop in Dodford has been given the thumbs up.

Members of Bromsgrove District Council's planning committee went against the recommendations of their officers after receiving no complaints from Dodford Parish Council.

The proposal involves development of a car showroom and village shop at the Cross Roads Garage, on Kidderminster Road.

Planning officers recommended the scheme be refused on the grounds that it represented inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

But councillors decided to back the scheme to extend the current building outwards.

Councillor Jean Luck (Independent-Alvechurch) said: "There have been no major objections from residents and it seems that the plans represent a viable business. Also the impact on the area is little greater than what is already there at the moment."

Councillor Nick Psirides, (Independent-Norton) commented that it is very rare to have the wholehearted support of the surrounding residents.

Nav Naveed, who is behind the application, said: "It has been a long hard battle but I am delighted. Thankfully the councillors came for a site visit and made the right decision."

christopher.flavell@midlands.

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