STOURBRIDGE is set for Burger King and Papa John’s fast-food restaurants after plans were backed to “regenerate” a former industrial estate.

Dudley planners unanimously agreed for developers to bring the big name brands to the town under proposals which will transform currently disused land in Birmingham Street.

As part of the plans, a drive-thru would also be included with Burger King, as well as 26 car parking spaces and two disabled bays on the former Cox Hire site.

Alongside the fast-food restaurants, the planning application also includes the creation of nine residential apartments and a large retail space next to the town's Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre pub.

The apartments will be made up of a single one-bedroom flat and eight with two-bedrooms, while 10 of the 26 car parking spaces will be allocated for residents - controlled by bollards.

Speaking at Tuesday's Development Control Committee meeting, Councillor Keiran Casey, committee vice-chairman, praised the plans. He said: “This is a really good application.

“The regeneration into that particular area is a great thing to see. It will bring a lot to Stourbridge as well as offer jobs for local people, which is a really important factor.”

Issues were raised at the meeting regarding the impact the building would have on the wildlife and access to the River Stour, but Dudley Council officers confirmed the development will have a legally required 10 metre buffer from the river to protect the area.