Day nursery and tuition centre at Essex Beauty Room 1B Kingston Parade, Grays

What was proposed

The application sought to change a ground-floor retail unit into a day nursery and tuition centre, with nursery use for up to 18 children and tuition at weekends.

“This application seeks planning permission for the change of use of the ground floor at 1B Kingston Parade from Class E to retail premises to a daycare nursery and tuition.”

“The proposal seeks planning permission for the change of use of a Class E retail unit on ground floor to a Class E Day care nursey and Class F1 (a) tuition.”

Officer report

The site

The site was an end-of-terrace corner retail unit in a local shopping parade, with parking bays at the front and residential properties nearby.

“The application site comprises the ground floor of 1 Kingston Parade, an end-of terrace retail unit with a residential flat above situated within a small parade of commercial units within the urban area of Grays. The building occupies a corner position on the junction of Hathaway Road and Ward Avenue; it is set back from the road with parking bays to the front and a single storey extension to the rear within a small, fenced yard.”

“The site is within a designated local shopping parade.”

Officer report

Earlier application

An earlier application to change the unit into a place of worship and community hall was refused and its appeal was dismissed.

“Application Reference Description Decision 23/00872/FUL Change of use from retail (Class E) to a place of worship/community hall (Classes F1(f)/F2(b)). Refused – Appeal Dismissed…”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers found no evidence that retail use was no longer viable and considered the parking and drop-off arrangements unsafe and inadequate.

“Overall, the proposal is not considered acceptable. The application would result in the loss of a retail unit without any clear evidence that it is no longer viable, which conflicts with the aims of Policy CSTP7.”

“The proposed uses generate a parking requirement of 4 parking bays. No suitably sized and safely accessible off-street parking can be provided within the site and no designated pick up and drop off can be provided.”

Officer report

Residents’ objections

Thirty letters objected, citing traffic, loss of amenity, noise, parking, character and environmental pollution.

“- Traffic impacts - Loss of Amenity - Noise and disturbance - Parking issues…”

“- Out of Character - Environmental Pollution…”

Officer report

What speakers said

A ward councillor and another speaker addressed the committee, and members asked about the number of children, congestion and similarities with the earlier application.

Members’ concerns

Members said the area was congested, had heavy traffic and dangerous roundabouts, and expressed concerns reflecting those raised by residents.

“Members noted that many people were familiar with the area, which was known to be congested with a heavy flow of traffic. It was highlighted that the roundabouts were considered dangerous. Members expressed concerns that reflected those raised by residents.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved the recommendation to refuse planning permission for the development.

“Recommendation That the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to REFUSE planning permission for the development subject to those reasons set out in section 16 of this report.”

Minutes