A GREENOCK eatery has belatedly applied for planning permission to open as a cafe and hot food takeaway after months of operating in the area. 

Bosses at Barrs Cottage Cafe on Dunlop Street have submitted a retrospective 'change of use' application seeking sign off for their work to turn the former bookmakers into a cafe. 

Documents submitted alongside the application state that operators D&C Foods ltd acquired the lease of the unit in October last year and began running it as a cafe and hot food takeway soon after. 

It is stated that the proprietors were unaware that planning permission was required for the building to be used in this manner. 

Their application for retrospective sign off is currently being considered by council planners.