Nursery extensions and loft conversion at 15 Station Road, Aldridge, Walsall

“25/0715 Site location: 15, Station Road, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 0BL Application proposal: Retrospective full planning application for a single storey rear extension, single storey lobby extension and loft conversion to create first floor room with eight sky lights. (Resubmission of planning application 24/0649). Application type: Full Application: Minor Use Class E(f) (Creche, Day nursery or Day centre)”

“The application site is an end property on Station Road to the corner with Pool Green on a residential estate. To the East is a corner triangle of public amenity space with a large tree and to the West are a row of semi-detached houses. Pool Green extends directly behind the application site and the site benefits from vehicle access from both Station Road and Pool Green to the rear. Directly opposite is more amenity space and the railway beyond.”

“Planning history Planning applications BC34542P – Change of use to Kindergarten – Refuse Permission – 08-01-1992 BC36564P - C/U of dwelling to children's nursery including alts. & exts. to provide entrance/wet area, kit. & W.C, Construction of car park, alts.”

“Therefore, it is concluded that this application should be recommended for refusal. Recommendation Refuse Permission Reasons for refusal 1. The application fails to provide sufficient information to determine if the site can sustainably accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers, in particular the following matters are not addressed in the submission: - Demonstrate adequate car parking provision is provided within the site to meet the operational needs of the…”

“Consequently, the application does not demonstrate that the site can accommodate the parking requirements for the increase in pupil numbers or that trips would be undertaken in anything other than a car and as a consequence the effect of the residual cumulative impacts on the road network would result in unacceptable impacts on highway safety. For these reasons, the development is contrary to Policy T7 and T13 of the UDP. 2.”

“There was one speaker in support of the application, [name withheld], who stated that the business was a family-owned nursery primarily serving local residents. He explained that a booking system was used to manage drop-off and pick-up of children and only two slots were available at any time. [name withheld] added that a significant number of children travelled on foot and that the number of parking spaces was more than required due to the system used.”

“Responding to questions, [name withheld] stated that the figure of 24 staff was incorrect and there were currently 13 staff employed at the site. He added that while capacity would be for 75 children, nurseries typically operated at approximately 75-80% of capacity. He stated that there was a shortfall of nursery spaces in Aldridge and that a high proportion of existing children attending were from the local area.”

“There followed a period of questions to officers. The Development Control and Public Rights of Way Manager provided an overview of the objections raised by the highways authority and advised that there was a possibility these could have been overcome through negotiations and the submission of a suitable travel plan supported by sufficient monitoring procedures.”

“That Planning Committee delegate to the Head of Planning and Building Control to grant planning permission for application 25/0715, contrary to the officer’s recommendation, subject to appropriate conditions and subject to:”

“The submission of amended plans that accurately reflect the as- built and proposed development on the site; The agreement of a s106 planning obligation for a satisfactory travel and traffic management plan.”