PLANNING permission for a new water park, hotel, conference centre and spa at West Midlands Safari Park will be left in the hands of Wyre Forest District Council, the Government has decided.

The secretary of state for the department of communities and local government has confirmed there are no grounds for his involvement and the matter will be determined by the local planning authority.

Wyre Forest District Council considered the application in September and was in favour of allowing the development, but offered the secretary of state the opportunity to make the final decision due the size of the proposed complex.

The National Planning Casework Unit has now informed the council of the minister’s decision, saying: “The secretary of state has decided not to call in the application. He is content that the application should be determined by the local planning authority.”

It means planning approval will be given for the development once a legal agreement – known as a 106 Agreement – has been reached. This agreement will require the development to fund additional Sunday bus services on Sundays and Bank Holidays between Kidderminster Railway Station and Bewdley Town Centre.

Wyre Forest cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration Cllr John-Paul Campion said: “This scheme will provide a real boost to the local economy, creating jobs for local people and building on Wyre Forest’s reputation as a major tourist destination. The announcement shows that the secretary of state is happy the planning process was carried out correctly and the local planning decision will stand. We will be working closely with the county council’s highways authority to address local concerns about additional traffic this development may generate.”