Plans for nursery in Renfrew sparks 25 objections

Planning Services UK requested planning permission, on behalf of Eastvale Scotland, for the transformation of the building in Mulberry Square.

The project would include raising the roof of the single-storey facility to provide a second storey of floor space.

However, the application has been met with 25 objections from residents of Mulberry Square, Cardon Square and other nearby addresses – covering worries about traffic, noise and the impact on amenity.

One said: “My objection is based primarily on the likely impact that the nursery would have on the residential amenity and quality of life of existing residents.

“I have significant concerns regarding noise from outdoor play, increased traffic, limited parking, vehicle movements associated with parents and staff, and the general disruption that would be caused by having a nursery in such a constrained residential location.”

It was initially built as a temporary sales office but has remained in situ considerably longer than was originally envisaged.

A similar idea for a nursery was refused by councillors in March 2021 but allowed on appeal by a Scottish Government reporter in April 2022.

This was touched upon in a planning statement submitted with the application which argued the decision provided “strong and directly applicable precedent” in support of the latest proposal.

It added: “The building has an established, unenforceable presence on this site. The principle of its retention and use as a children’s day nursery has already been tested through the planning appeal process and found, by an independent reporter, to accord with Policy P1 of the Local Development Plan and to give rise to no unacceptable effects on green space, residential amenity or traffic, subject to appropriately worded conditions.”

However, another resident disagreed with this stance, writing: “Upon review of the proposal brought forward, I strongly object to the change of use and associated alterations to the existing site.

“While I recognise the importance of childcare provision within Renfrew, this proposal represents a significant intensification of development that would adversely affect residential amenity, parking, traffic, road safety and the character of the surrounding area.

“The application should not be viewed as a simple continuation of the nursery proposal previously approved on appeal, as the scale and nature of the current proposal are materially different.”

A decision on the application will be confirmed by Renfrewshire Council at a later date.