A PLANNING application by Stourport Forward to develop a temporary heritage room in the town has been successful.

The site at 8a Bridge Street was previously a hairdresser’s salon and is currently owned by Wyre Forest District Council.

Stourport Forward’s bid was granted delegated approval at a meeting of the district council’s planning committee on Tuesday, April 12.

The council has agreed to allow Stourport Forward to operate a heritage room during the summer, while the building is vacant.

It aims to provide an additional visitor attraction, help local people to learn more about their heritage, improve the link between the canal basins and town centre and complement the other two heritage rooms and the events and activities programme which have recently been developed at Stourport canal basins.

The heritage room is being developed with the support of Bewdley Museum, which has agreed to loan items for display, Bewdley Tourist Information Centre, which has offered to assist with the creation of a small information point within the room providing leaflets about local attractions, and Stourport Civic Society.

It is being developed on a small budget and will be operated by a rota of volunteers. Opening times will depend on the support of volunteers.

Pauline Annis, chairman of Stourport Forward, said: “We are so grateful to all our partners for helping us to develop this new heritage room, which will help visitors and local people to find out more about the history of our town and some of the fantastic visitor attractions in and around Stourport.”

Stourport Forward is asking for more people to come forward to help to staff the heritage rooms and to help deliver events during the summer. Basic training and support will be offered.

For more details contact Liz Sheerin on 01299 822827.