CHAMPAGNE corks are popping in Belbroughton after planning chiefs approved proposals to open an exclusive art gallery in the village.

Trevor and Gill Simmonds are celebrating after their plans to convert one of their out-houses into a showroom for fine art was given permission by Bromsgrove District Council's planning committee last Monday.

But it has not been all plain sailing for the couple, whose planned renovation of the grade II listed building in Church Hill will cost more than £50,000.

They had already been refused planning permission from council officers because the original scheme did not include car parking.

And the proposals sparked a wave of opposition from neighbours amid fears that the couple would be opening a craft centre, attracting droves of visitors.

However, Trevor and Gill submitted amended plans and set out to reassure villagers that the gallery would have limited opening hours and only stock fine art.

"We were delighted when the committee decided to grant our proposals," said Gill, who attended the meeting at the council house in Burcot Lane.

Trevor, who plans to retire from his job as a safety engineer this month, is looking forward to starting the new project and work will start in spring with completion expected for late summer or early autumn next year.

The couple are now looking for artists who may wish to display their work in the gallery. They have already attracted some interest from members of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA).

Trevor said: "My brother Colin is a member of the RBSA. He will show some of his work at the gallery and he has told his friends there about it.

"Some of them are very excited, as there are not many places for talented artists to showcase their work."