THE owner of a Link Top bookmakers has won a planning appeal against Malvern Hills District Council which means he can open on Sundays and later in the evening.

Bob Mason this week welcomed the decision by a planning inspector to overturn the conditions imposed by the council over extended opening hours at his Newtown Road shop, R J Racing.

The shop opened on December 17 last year but was turned down when it applied to extend its opening hours this spring.

Mr Mason had argued that being unable to open on Sundays and later into the evening was unfair when other similar businesses in the town were able to do so.

"I'm very pleased with the decision because I'll now be able to compete with the other betting offices in the town," he said.

"As a born and bred Malvern man trying to open my own business, it had been a bit of a setback. Now I can compete."

Malvern Hills District Council planners had imposed the condition - that the business should only open 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday - after agreeing that the premises could be used as a betting office.

The council's planning committee said the conditions were needed to safeguard residential properties in the area from noise associated with vehicle and pedestrian coming and going at unsociable hours.

But, after receiving written representations, a planning inspector said R J Racing should be allowed to open from 10am to 9pm Mondays to Saturdays and 10am to 6pm on Sundays.

The inspector noted that there were other businesses in the immediate area which opened late into the evening during the week and at weekends, together with a public car park.

No issues were raised in respect of the site being in a Conservation Area.