A scrapyard which has never received planning permission has had its application of legal status granted.

Members of Sandwell planning committee issued a lawful development certificate to Warley Salvage, which dismantles, repairs and services cars from its site on Titford Road, Oldbury.

In a report to councillors, officers said a business which has operated from the same site for more than 10 years did not need planning consent.

The granting of the lawful development certificate legally confirms it does not require permission.

The application had been deferred at the committee’s December meeting after councillors complained they were not given enough time to study all the documentation from the business’ owners and from residents who opposed the application.

Mr Mark Jones-Edwards, the manager of Warley Salvage, told councillors that objections to the application amounted to a witch hunt to close the business.