Day nursery at 22 The Avenue, Fareham

“Site Description 2.1 22 The Avenue currently contains a two storey detached building that was most recently used as a hotel by the Travel-Rest chain. The land to the front of the building is hard surfaced and provides car parking. The land to the rear of the building comprises a lawn. There is a substantial conifer hedge in excess of 3 metres in height along the rear boundary.”

“Description of Proposal 3.1 The application proposes a change of use from a hotel to a day nursery. The application also includes the reconfiguration of car parking, the enclosure of the existing external stairs at the rear of the building and the provision of refuse, buggy and cycle storage.”

“There are residential properties to the rear (north) and to both sides (east and west) of the building.”

“Relevant Planning History 5.1 The following planning history is relevant:”

“P/22/0115/FP Conversion and extension of existing hotel to form 16 no. 1-bed and 2-bed flats Approved 10.8.23”

“Officers acknowledge the existing surplus of nursery provision within the Ward, however there is no policy requirement that requires applicants to demonstrate need or to restrict provision in situations where there is an existing surplus. It is therefore concluded that the proposed change of use is acceptable in principle subject to the considerations set out in the remainder of this report.”

“Summary 8.33 The proposed change of use to provide a day nursery would provide additional choice to parents with pre-school age children and is therefore in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF. The proposed nursery would not require significant changes to the exterior of the building and would be in accordance with Policy D1. The nursery would not have a significant adverse impact on the amenities of the neighbouring properties as required by Policy D2.”

“Children’s Services – Hampshire County Council 7.6 Avenue Ward has surplus spaces. Approving a new 100 place provision would lead to a significant oversupply, to the detriment of the current settings operating in the area.”

“Environmental Health (Noise and Pollution) 7.7 The predicted levels are within the World Health Organization Guidelines for Community Noise. No objection, subject to the installation of the proposed 2.5m acoustic fence (or a proposed restriction on hours of play should the acoustic fence be installed at a height of 2m).”

“Representations 6.1 Seventeen letters of representation have been received. One of the representations supports the application. The remainder of the representations object to the proposal and raise the following concerns:”

“Pollution • Increased air pollution. • Additional measures are required to prevent noise transmission. • Noise pollution, in particular young children is triggering for some neighbours who suffer with anxiety. • Increased noise pollution from children and cars. • The acoustic fence needs to be positioned to avoid any gaps.”

“The measures contained within the Operational Management Plan (dated April 2026) shall be implemented in full prior to first use of the nursery and shall be retained thereafter.”

“REASON: To ensure effective management of the outdoor space, to protect the amenities of the neighbour properties.”

“(b) the additional condition t as set out in the Update Report.”

“Was voted on and CARRIED. (Voting: 6 in favour; 3 against)”