PLANS to increase the size of Pershore Station car park have taken a step forward after 12 years of talks.

The station car park currently only has 17 spaces but could get up to 52 after plans submitted by landowner Mark Carlton-Smith were given the go ahead at Wychavon District Council planning committee.

The next step is a land swap between Mr Carlton-Smith and Network Rail.

Pershore town councillor Julian Palfrey, of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group, said he was pleased with the progress.

"It's obviously moving in the right direction. The car park isn't as big as what was first envisaged but it's still a big improvement on what's there now.

"We need it for motorists but we also need to find out how we can improve it for pedestrians and bus users.

"Now is the opportunity to see how the station can play a part in the transport infrastructure."