Residents in Willaston have aired concerns over plans to convert a former pub into a new children’s nursery.
Proposals have been submitted to Cheshire East Council to convert The Lamb on Wistaston Road into a nursery.
Chestnut Holdings (Cheshire) Ltd are behind the change of use application and propose to provide 15 car parking spaces which includes three drop off spaces.
The new nursery would employ 12 full time staff and five part time staff and would accommodate up to 20 babies, 30 toddlers and 30 pre-school places.
But a number of objections have been lodged, with many saying the village does not need another day nursery while others say it will cause more traffic problems.
One resident said there were no where near enough parking spaces, despite highways officers at Cheshire East approving the plan.
“This is on the planning application for the nursery, the highways have signed it off as sufficient parking!
“How? 18 staff and only eight spaces? 80 parents with three spaces?
“Wistaston Road is bad enough without all the extra traffic.”
People who run a children’s nursery St John’s Methodist Chapel on Wybunbury Road have also objected.
In a statement, they said: “There is no demand in Willaston nor the wider area for yet another childcare nursery.
“The Lamb is a few metres away from Willaston Pre-school, a local charity located at the Methodist Church Hall offering free and subsidised places for all children by virtue of its charitable status.
“The pre-school has a brilliant reputation within the community and employs 12 local people, offering childcare between 7.30am and 5.30pm Mon to Fri for most of the year.
“The large surroundings have been the beneficiary of lots of investment over the years so that our outdoor provision is now superb and completely child-centred.
“Crucially it has spare capacity, in part due to the existence of three other nurseries in the village – Corner House, Little Acorns at the school, and Roundabouts at the Peacock.
“This village does not need a fifth nursery. Indeed, another nursery would threaten the very survival of our charity, which has been going for over 40 years and provides a vital service to local families of all means.
“The location of the proposed nursery is poor, and with 80 children a day, will result in far more cars than can be accommodated on the existing site – where are they to park?”
Another added: “I live in park Mills Close. It’s downright dangerous pulling out now because of inconsiderate parking, dread to think what it will be like if a nursery goes ahead.
“Can Willaston Parish Council put an objection in on the grounds of traffic, parking and safety?”
But others have voiced support for turning an empty building into a used facility.
One resident said: “It’s got to be better than another empty building it looks grim. I honestly don’t see the big issue.
“That’s more parking than most nurseries. The other two nurseries have less parking and more children.
“Not all staff drive and not all parents will drive either.
“There’s not going to be 80 people rocking up at once.
“It’s not like it’s a school, Not all children get dropped off and picked up at the same time and you will probably find that not that many children will attend everyday.”
In a planning statement, developers behind the proposal said: “This is an opportunity to breathe new life and longevity into a much-loved building, to provide a use which is appropriate for the immediate and wider setting, to improve pedestrian safety and provide a service for villagers within the heart of the village.
“The unfortunate decline in the public house industry is decimating the sector across the UK, sadly something which is totally outside of the control of the planning system.
“In a village which is well served locally by ample local community facilities, the re-use of the building should be welcomed.”
You can view the full plans on Cheshire East Council portal here
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