A PROPOSAL to turn a former cafe into an art workshop, which has received financial backing from Oswestry Town Council, has been given the go-ahead.

Shropshire Council planning officers approved the change of use for the former Scotty's Cafe, in Cross Street, and with it relevant frontage replacement, for the Designs in Mind art workshop charity.

The charity already occupies the two upper floors of the building and last month was given thousands of pounds in town council money to help with the work and applications.

Councillors praised the work Designs in Mind do for people with mental health issues – teaching them a skill and then supporting them with sales of their work – and backed the scheme.

Sara Robinson, a Shropshire Council planning officer, said: "The change of use is judged to be in scale and character with the locality.

"The application therefore accords with the principal determining criteria of the relevant development plan policies and approval is recommended."