Proposals to create a new children’s nursery on Brookside Road in Ruddington have proved unpopular with householders in the area.
When the site known as ‘Brookside House’ (pictured above in June 2021) was sold off for redevelopment in 2022 by former owners Brookside Autoservices, other units there which were still occupied were also vacated. However, the commercial premises have since lain empty, facing an uncertain future. Most recently, plans to demolish all the existing buildings and build three houses and six apartments there were also shelved. This followed a negative response to the proposed development from consultees, including Ruddington Parish Council, which considered it to be “…over intensive for the plot”.
The latest application is for a ‘registered nursery’ {23/02205/FUL} which was submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) in December 2023 by The Childcare Company Holdings Ltd. It would retain the existing building to make use of the indoor area formerly occupied by soft play centre Dizzy Rascalz. However, it would also utilise the hard surface to the rear and side as a further ‘play space’ alongside 5 ‘Sheffield’ bike stands and 7 additional car parking spaces to the rear.
RBC received eight residents’ objections to these latest plans, with nobody supporting them. Concerns were raised about all the extra traffic generated by a 60-place nursery on a crowded residential street, where a lack of parking is already said to be an issue. It was also suggested the proposed outdoor play area would have a significant and detrimental impact on the daily lives of householders in the vicinity due to the noise.
Backing the local residents, Rushcliffe Borough Councillor Jen Walker has also spoken out against the application: “I object due to the lack of parking around the site” she says. “There is already an issue with parking in the day and this will be made much worse with many more than 7 additional cars during drop off and pick ups.”
However, the Highways report on the application states: “The proposal has provided parking to cater for members of staff. There is enough space for drop off and pick up within the site curtilage. Based on the submitted information, Highways have no objection to the proposal.”
Whilst Ian Howard comments: “Moan about too many houses and not enough services, etc, for the larger community – then object to one being sorted! Parking has always been rubbish around Camelot, but it’ll be for a few minutes, twice a day, to bundle the kids in then go. There was more when ‘Dizzy’ was there, parking up for birthday parties, etc, for a couple of hours each.”
The proposed new layout, as drawn up by Fosse Surveying, is shown below (click to enlarge);
The nursery plans are now due to be put before Rushcliffe Borough Council’s planning committee for its consideration. Meantime, you can find all the documents associated with this application >>HERE<<.
