Here are the biggest local planning stories from the past week.

Gigapark Boost

An "essential" development part of a major plan aimed at bringing in billions of pounds of investment and create tens of thousands of jobs has been given the green light.

Members of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board approved the full business case for £23 million for the Coventry and Warwick Gigapark at a meeting on Friday (January 10).

The funding will pay for the installation of a dedicated energy supply capable of supporting large-scale battery production, further infrastructure works and the technical assessments required for a detailed planning application.

Board members said the project was vital for the future of car manufacturing in the West Midlands and enhancing it's profile on the global stage.

Read more here

Airport's Approval

Birmingham Airport has been granted permission for more night time flights despite widespread opposition from locals.

BHX bosses argued extra night flights are necessary if the airport is to grow and the local economy is not to miss out on millions in economic benefits.

The current arrangement allowed for no more than 4,000 flights at night a year.

This is based on an annual restriction of five per cent of the total air traffic movements – the taking off or landing of an aircraft from the airport – to take place at night.

Read the full story here.

New Watch Shop

A closed Kenilworth bank looks set to be given a new lease of life, after plans to turn it into a watch shop were given the green light.

Warwick District Council (WDC) has granted planning permission for new signs to be installed on the former Barclays bank on Warwick Road.

Plans show the signs would turn the premises into a shop for First Class Watches - which is run by James Moore Jewellers on the other side of the road.

Read more here.

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