By George Jenkins
Plans to convert a childminders into a nursery in Burley have been rejected by the council and concerns over parking and noise.
Little Trees Childcare, a childminders on Greenhow Gardens in Burley, applied to change the use of their building to a nursery which could provide childcare for up to 30 children. The property has been a childminders since August 2019.
The application argued that the residential home was suitable for the change due to its size and location, whilst also requiring no alterations. They emphasised the available on-street parking by the site, with a drop and go initiative encouraged to parents, and ensured noise levels would be actively managed with the increase in occupants.
But the application has been rejected, with the council expressing concern around highway issues and noise levels.
A planning officer’s report said: “The local planning authority considers that the proposed nursery, due to noise and disturbance associated with the proposed use, including the arrival and departure of staff and parents dropping off and collecting children, including by car, would lead to an unacceptable loss of amenity to surrounding residents.
“The proposal, by reason of the intensification of use at the site and the failure to provide for adequate and safe off-street car parking provision, to serve the new development, would result in an increase in on-street parking and manoeuvring on the street in a locality which already experiences parking congestion problems.”
This result comes after a report from the highways team, which found 11 vehicles parked on/around the property during their site visit in April.
Despite the promise to provide outdoor learning, more local pre-school places, and five extra jobs, the application was rejected, although an appeal can take place for up to six months following the decision.
Read the documents in full here.
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