Children's day nursery at 100 Somerton Road, Newport

“Proposal: PROPOSED CHANGE OF USE TO CHILDREN'S DAY NURSERY (D1) (RESUBMISSION)”

“INTRODUCTION 1.1 Planning permission was refused in 2025 for the change of use of the property to a children’s nursery. The reasons for refusal relate to neighbouring amenity, flood risk and parking and can be seen in full below:”

“The proposal will result in an increased demand for parking that cannot be accommodated on site to the detriment of highway and pedestrian safety and neighbouring amenity. This is contrary to policies GP2 and GP4 of the Newport Local Development Plan 2011 – 2026 (Adopted January 2015) and the adopted Parking SPG.”

“The proposals fail to confirm staff and child numbers with the expectation that it will result in an increased parking demand and a significant intensification of parking demand during drop off and pick up times, which cannot be accommodated on site.”

“The proposal will have a significant adverse effect on interests of acknowledged importance, flood risk and human safety/health, by reason of the introduction of a highly vulnerable use in a flood risk area including the ground floor. No Flood Consequences Assessment is provided and no information mitigates flood risk and general safety objections. This is contrary to Policy SP3 of the NLDP 2011-2026 (adopted January 2015), Planning Policy Wales and TAN15.”

“CONSULTATIONS 4.1 Natural Resources Wales: We continue to have concerns with the application as submitted because inadequate information has been provided in support of the proposal. To overcome these concerns, you should seek further information from the applicant regarding flood risk.”

“If this information is not provided, we would object to this planning application. Further details are provided below. Flood Risk The planning application proposes a change of use from a less vulnerable (Hair and Beauty Salon) to a highly vulnerable use for a Children’s Day Nursery. The Flood Map for Planning identifies the application site to be at risk of flooding and entirely within Flood Zones 2 and 3 (Rivers and Sea) and the TAN15 Defended Zone.”

“-A nursery would be good for the area, creating jobs and much needed childcare spaces; -This would be a great asset to the area and would reduce congestion by Lliswerry Primary School; -It would be good to see the premises operating as a commercial business again with benefit to the local community; -After seeing constant vape shops, barbers, and kebab shops everywhere the nursery is a welcome new business that will be appreciated by the community.”

“COUNCILLOR JAMES PETERSON: I would like to support this application (26/0112) as it is perfectly located for school drop offs to Lliswerry Primary School as it is a short walk under 300m to the school gates with no roads to cross. In addition to this Lliswerry has seen growth in population in the area and is in need of child-minding services for working parents.”

“It is considered that the proposed nursery would be served by an inadequate level of parking provision, resulting in parking on footways in Kitty Hawk Drive. Whilst this may be short duration stopping for drop offs and pick ups, it may in some cases be for longer. Whilst it is noted that the NCC Highways Officer raises no objection, this is based on an acknowledged lack of information and various assumptions of low staffing levels compared to previous uses.”

“-The building’s owner, all staff and all parents would be signed up to the NRW Flood warning Service. -The nursery would operate for limited hours, with staff always present while the nursery is open. The small staff team would be familiar with the children and their parents or carers, allowing clear communication and a controlled response if a flood warning were issued.”

“Proposal: PROPOSED CHANGE OF USE TO CHILDREN'S DAY NURSERY (D1) (RESUBMISSION) Lliswerry Councillor J Peterson (Ward Member) spoke in favour of the application.”

“Reported to Committee as called by Councillor J Peterson. Refused…”