A CAFE in Amblecote got the thumbs up from councillors, despite work starting before planning permisison was granted.

A retrospective planning application to change the use of a bungalow on Platts Crescent into a cafe was approved by Dudley's development control committee on Monday (August 5) despite 22 residents signing a petition objecting to the scheme.

Work began to transform the vacant bungalow into Doulton Cafe in January.

It was proposed that the cafe, which is situated on the edge of an industrial area, will open from 7am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 7am to 11pm on Saturday.

But the late weekend opening hours did not impress the committee, who said it must close at noon on Saturdays.

The committee also said that the coated metal cladding on the external walls of the building must be removed and replaced with a “more appropriate material”.

It is not yet known when the cafe will open.