PLANNING permission has been given for a new shop in Wormelow.

Roger Sweetman applied to knock down the current empty shop and build a new one, along with two houses with two bedrooms and a flat with two bedrooms.

The shop will be half the size of the existing building with reduced storage.

Wormelow Stores closed suddenly in May 2014 and has been empty since.

Mr Sweetman has since built two two-bed bungalows at the back of the site.

The new shop building will have a flat above and the second part of the building will have two semi-detached homes.

The planning approval for the smaller shop space said: "The existing facility has been closed for some time, approximately 18 months, and the applicant attributes this to the unviability of the existing shop, particularly given its size.

"No information has been provided to substantiate this claim, though I have no part evidence, anecdotal or otherwise to refute this. There is an indication therefore that the exiting shop is not continuing to contribute to the needs of the community in its current guise."

The planning application said there was also a concern for highway safety given the reduction in parking available at the site for the shop, particularly given that the shop is on a main road where most of its business will be passing trade.

But it said: "However, the level of parking to be provided exceeds the Highway Design Guide requirement for retail development of this floor space.

"A lorry space is not necessary given the manner in which small retail shops are stocked. Parking and turning for the site is acceptable in all other regards."

The application has allowed six spaces for the shop.