75-place nursery at Redroof Nursery, Southampton

What was proposed

The application sought 75 childcare places and longer garden use, allowing up to 27 children outside for six hours instead of two.

“Proposal 2.1 This application seeks a variation to the existing permission to allow the use of the building for 75 children. This follows the grant of permission for 57 children in 2011 (with an increase of 18 children now proposed).”

“It is proposed to retain the number of students within the garden at any one time but allow groups to be outside for up to 6 hours a day compared to the current 2 hours a day.”

Officer report

The site and earlier permissions

The nursery is a detached building with rear parking, and its permitted capacity had increased from 15 children in 2003 to 57 in 2011.

“Redroofs Nursery, located at 338 Spring Road, is a substantial detached building located on the junction of Spring Road and Pinegrove Road. The site is accessed from the rear of the site from an existing access onto Pinegrove Road. An existing car park to the rear has space shown on the submitted plans for 14 vehicles.”

“The full planning history for this site is listed in Appendix 2 to this report. In terms of its history as a nursery it began with permission for 15 children in 2003 (permission 03/00708/FUL). This condition has been varied several times since then in 2005, 2009 and 2011 whereby the current maximum number of children is 57. The site was first registered with Ofsted in January 2004.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Early Years supported the places and garden change; Environmental Health sought a noise plan, and Highways supported controls for travel and parking.

“SCC Early Years and Childcare Service Support Southampton City Council's Early Years and Childcare Service fully supports this application to request a variation of planning permission to increase the capacity of childcare provision from 57 places to 75 and to change the current garden time restrictions.”

“With the increase in level of children, this peak figure would roughly be 11 based on a pro-rata approach. However, as this figure is during a 15 minute interval and drop offs being generally 3 minutes long (6 minute for pick up), if movements were spread out evenly, the peak parking demand could be 5-6 vehicles. This is again, an average figure due to the unpredictability and likely variation of arrival times within 15 minute intervals.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Six residents raised concerns about additional traffic and parking, outdoor noise, car-park ownership and litter.

“Traffic and Parking Impacts from additional students Response The applicant has provided additional data on how children attend the nursery during the busier pick up and drop off times. It is likely that there would be some additional waiting on Pinegrove Road during these times however as this road is unrestricted in terms of parking the levels of waiting could be accommodated on the local highway network.”

“Noise from increased use of outdoor space Response The expansion of the use of the outdoor space would retain the existing limit on the number of students who could be outside at any one time but would allow the space to be used for longer (up to 6 hours per day compared to the current 2). It is accepted that there will be additional noise created by 4 additional hours per day, and an assessment of the significance of this change is then required.”

Officer report

Who addressed the panel

The applicant addressed the meeting, and a statement from another person was received, circulated and read.

The committee decision

The panel approved the application after voting for the recommendation as varied by amended conditions.

“The Panel then considered the recommendation (as varied with the amended conditions) that the application be conditionally approved subject to criteria listed in the report. Upon being put to the vote the recommendation was carried.”

“RESOLVED that planning permission be approved subject to the conditions set out within the report and varied and/or additional conditions set out below:”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The permission included conditions on timing, parking retention, travel management, outdoor use, opening hours, capacity and the locked pedestrian gate.

“Parent and Staff travel and pick up Management (Pre-use Condition) Prior to the first use of the building by more than 57 children a 'Parent and Staff travel and pick up Management Plan' shall be submitted and approved by the Council, including areas on site for waiting parents, queue management and split session times and measures to encourage sustainable modes of travel. The management plan shall to adhered to at all times and reviewed regularly.”

“Lock pedestrian gate - Performance Condition The pedestrian gate fronting spring Road shall be permanently locked during operational hours to prevent pedestrian access from Spring Road. REASON: To deter customers from parking along the Spring Road frontage in the interests of highway safety.”

Officer report