WYRE Forest’s tourism industry will receive a boost after plans to improve Severn Valley Railway services in Kidderminster were given the go-ahead.

Members of Wyre Forest District Council’s planning committee approved an application during a meeting last night to build a new diesel depot and other facilities at Kidderminster Station.

The development also includes building a storage shed and a small electrical distribution box as well as retaining two former sleeping carriages to provide accommodation for volunteers working on the railway.

The locomotive maintenance and storage buildings will reach 12.8 metres in height.

Planning officers said the visual impact for Chester Road South residents would be “altered” but still “considered acceptable.

Case officer John Baggott added the development would “likely lead to an improvement in terms of noise and fumes”.

Councillors overwhelmingly approved the application, praising Severn Valley Railway’s contribution to Wyre Forest’s tourism industry.

Labour councillor Howard Martin called the decision a “no-brainer”, adding: “At the state of the area debate we talked a great deal about economic development.

“Something we have got that we can really develop and we still do not maximise is our tourism industry.”

Liberal councillor Fran Oborski added: “I am very proud of the SVR in this district and we cannot stand in their way” while Conservative councillor Marcus Hart said it was “important we do not allow this application to be derailed in any way”.