Nursery expansion at Daydreams Nursery, St Helens

What was proposed

The application proposed converting the first floor from residential use to nursery accommodation for a total of 76 children, with parking and landscaping changes.

“This application proposes to change the use of the first floor to a children's nursery to accommodate 76 children in total when combined with the existing ground floor nursery use.”

“The first floor would be converted into extra nursery accommodation facilities along with children’s toilets, kitchen and sensory room. The second floor would be retained for storage.”

Officer report

The site

The existing nursery occupies a corner site with seven parking spaces, a detached garage, play areas and surrounding residential and commercial uses.

“The front of the application site is depicted by a sweeping driveway with an ‘in’ and ‘out’ system leading to Grosvenor Road, together with a detached garage adjacent to the western site boundary. There are seven existing parking spaces at the front of the site; of these, three are located alongside the boundary wall to the north, three are located in front of the nursery building and one within the detached garage.”

“The application site is located within the West Park: Regents Road, Grosvenor Road, Laurel Road Residential Character Area, identified by St Helens Residential Character Areas Supplementary Planning Document.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions included nursery use, extensions and changes to child numbers, while a 2019 first-floor expansion permission was withdrawn or later lapsed.

“P/2019/0255/FUL - Change of use of existing first floor flat to facilitate expansion of children’s day nursery, along with demolition of existing garage to create additional 4no car park spaces. Withdrawn 17.05.2019.”

“P/97/0603 - Change of use from two separate flats to children's nursery on ground floor with associated living accommodation on first floor. Granted 29.10.1997.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the proposal was considered acceptable in principle and would not cause significant amenity harm or a severe highway impact.

“The principle of the development is considered acceptable. The increase in the number of children as a result of the change of use of the whole building would not result in a significant or harmful impact on amenity in the area. Planning permission was previously granted in 2019 to allow the nursery to accommodate up to 60 children, albeit it is acknowledged this permission has now lapsed.”

“Grant Planning Permission Subject to the following conditions:”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways withdrew its initial objection after amended parking arrangements, while noise raised no objection and education supported additional nursery places.

“Highways (17.01.2025) (11.04.2025) – Initial objection raised regarding proposed parking and access arrangements. Subsequently, the proposed parking layout was amended to retain the existing access and egress arrangements together with a reduction in the total parking provision to 5 no. spaces in total to avoid vehicles blocking each other in. No highways objection is raised to the revised proposals subject to a planning condition.”

“Education (15.04.2025) - While many early years settings fall within the private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) sector, Local Authorities have a duty to ensure early years childcare provision. Expanded Early Years Entitlements for working parents of children aged nine-months to two-years-old became available from 2024. The take-up of funded childcare entitlements is high, increasing demand for early years provision.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Eleven objections cited parking, traffic, highway safety, nursery capacity, noise, privacy, housing, pollution and changes to views from neighbouring property.

“Proposal would exacerbate existing parking issues along Grosvenor Road. • Proposal would exacerbate existing traffic issues along Grosvenor Road and Prescot Road. • Proposed car parking layout would involve cars blocking each other in. • Highway safety concerns. • There is already a sufficient availability of nursery spaces in the local area. Numerous schools are creating their own nurseries from September 2025.”

“Planning Committee 29 th April 2025 P/2024/0573/FUL • Increased pollution levels. • View of the site from neighbouring property would change from a garden to a car park.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Development Control Manager presented the application, and the applicant presented their case and answered committee questions.

Committee discussion

The chair was asked to write to Highways requesting consideration of increased traffic enforcement if issues arose from the development.

“It was requested that the Chair write to the Council’s Highways Department requesting that consideration be given to increased traffic enforcement in the area, including enhanced patrols, should issues arise as a result of the development.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

Conditions limit attendance to 76 children, secure parking and landscaping, require travel arrangements and restrict the first-floor use to Class E(f).

“Prior to bringing the first floor of the building into use as a day nursery, a Travel Plan Co-ordinator shall be appointed. The Travel Plan Co-ordinator shall be responsible for the implementation, delivery, monitoring and promotion of a Travel Plan, including the day-to-day management of the steps identified to secure the sustainable transport initiatives.”

“Prior to bringing the first floor of the building into use as a day nursery a Travel and Parking Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Council as Local Planning Authority. The Plan shall include immediate, continuing and long-term measures to promote and encourage alternative modes of transport to the single-occupancy car.”

Minutes