A PROPOSAL to convert a former shop into flats in Dudley town centre has had been given the green light.

The plan is to transform the empty Efe Market unit on Wolverhampton Street into two flats.

Mr Mohammed Kabir, also of Wolverhampton Street, Dudley, had applied for prior approval to convert the shop - but council planners have said he can go ahead with the proposal, saying prior approval is not needed as long as the development begins within three years.

Plans show one flat on the ground floor with a kitchen, bathroom, lounge and one-bedroom.

The first floor flat is also one-bedroom.

A previous application had been submitted to create five flats on the site, but this has been changed to two.

A report by council planners states there is no parking for residents of the flats, but that this doesn't matter as it's a town centre location with good access to public transport.

It states: "There is no off-street parking provided and there does not appear to be any access to the rear.

"The Parking Standards SPD has a minimum parking standards policy for residential use.

"Parking below the minimum standards is acceptable in constrained areas where there is physically no parking available or in local or town centres where there is access to local services and public transport links.

"The location is well served by public transport and is within reasonable walking distance of bus stops.

"Given the town centre location the provision of no off-street parking in this scenario would not be a reason for refusal on highways grounds."

The site is in the St. James's ward.