Go-ahead has been given to transform the cafe at Helston's arts building and return the former school assembly room into full public use.

The Cornubian Arts and Science Trust (CAST) has been given conditional planning permission for its proposed work at 3 Penrose Road.

Using a £500,000 grant from Arts Council England, the first stage will see the community cafe being updated, with an improved kitchen, renovated seating area and the addition of patio doors in place of two windows, leading onto a new terrace area for outdoor dining,

The aim is to complete this work by May next year, with the second phase beginning that September. This will involve creating a new entry route into the assembly hall using the existing door at the east end of the building, and a new lobby area out of the ground floor studios at the back of the building.

The scheme will also provide heating for the public areas of the building, so that it can be used all through the year, opening up the possibility of different types of events and potentially allowing the general public to hire out the room.

The work was given officer approval under delegated powers at Cornwall Council.

Case officer Martin Jose wrote in his report: "It is considered that the provision of the new doors and decking on the south elevation will provide a good link to the outdoor space to the south of the building. This will make use of the space and the café will help support the building and the arts and community activities taking place in the building."

He added that while the building was not listed, it was in a conservation area and due to its age, design

and position close to the town centre and other listed buildings it was considered an "undesignated heritage asset." However, he believed the changes would cause "less than substantial harm" and "as such the minor harm will not affect its place in the townscape and will allow the building to remain in use for community purposes."