A WHITCHURCH driving instructor is over the moon after a plan to use the Civic Centre for driving tests was granted planning permission.

The Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA) was granted planning permission on Tuesday, April 4 to change the use of rooms one and two to accommodate a test centre, much to the delight of local instructor Ron Ingall.

The previous centre closed last year and pupils are currently using test centres in Shrewsbury, Crewe and Wrexham.

Ron was pleased to see hard work come to fruition and thanked North Shropshire, MP Helen Morgan, Shropshire Council and Whitchurch Town Council for lobbying the DVSA.

He said: "I am absolutely over the moon.

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"We have had a hard slog with many phone calls, letters and meetings. I can't thank the MP enough for putting the pressure on in Westminster.

"Shropshire Council and Whitchurch Town Council have worked hard for us as well.

"With all of us pulling together, it proves things can be turned round."

Ron said having a test centre in Whitchurch benefits both pupils and instructors.

"It is 20 miles each way to Shrewsbury," he said.

"It is costing an absolute fortune in fuel and depreciation of the vehicle because of the high miles.

"Once we get back in Whitchurch, we will come back into a more profitable business. It is very tight to make a living."

Despite the joy of seeing the application being given permission, Ron still remains cautious and is hoping to see the building put into use soon.

He said: "I'll believe it when I see the first test go out of the Civic Centre.

"I know from past experience, the DVSA do not move fast.

"It could quite easily be Christmas before it opens. There is so much work which needs doing.

"People are thinking because planning permission has been granted that it is going to be up and running in no time.

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"The DVSA will have to set up the offices, get car parking sorted and signage.

"There's a whole raft of things which have got to be done."

Ron added: "We're still pushing. We are not going to let up until we see the first pupil come out of the test centre.

"And when it happens, we will know we are on our way."