Closure risk at Cannock charity nursery
A charity-run nursery in Cannock for up to 38 children is facing closure after plans to move into a former tattoo studio were refused.
The proposals, which would have seen the former Midland Tattoo Studio on the Wolverhampton Road in Cannock turned into a pre-school, were turned down by councillors last night due to road safety concerns.
The Tiddlywinks pre-school nursery currently operates out of the Salvation Army building in Walhouse Street but managers need to move into their own premises after they were told by Ofsted the property was 'unsafe' for children to be in.
Tina Jackson from the nursery submitted a letter to last night's planning committee urging members to safeguard its future.
She wrote: "We are a well-established charity operating out of a church building which has been deemed unsafe by Ofsted for children to be in.
"I hope the council see fit to grant this planning application, because without it we will no doubt need to close the pre-school group."
But commenting in objection to the plans, nearby resident David Palmer told councillors he was concerned about road safety and parking on Wolverhampton Road, as well as noise.
"Parking down that road is atrocious – it's rare I can park outside my own house," said Mr Palmer, who lives two properties away from the former tattoo studio.
"Children between the ages of one and four need taking care of and Wolverhampton Road and St John's Close nearby are both very dangerous. Also, children aged one to four make a lot of noise."
Owner of the building Patrick Pincombe told councillors he felt road safety concerns were unjustified and claimed Wolverhampton Road 'is no longer a main road of Cannock'.
"Motorists avoid that road like the plague because of all the parking on both sides of the road," he said. "So little traffic uses the road now, it seems it is only used by those coming and going from businesses and houses on that street."
The planning committee, however, turned down the application on the basis that members felt the road was too dangerous for a pre-school. Tiddlywinks has 15 children on its books but the planning application for the tattoo studio wanted permission for up to 38. Commenting on the application Councillor Bob Todd said: "To subject children to that road is criminal.
"It's a dangerous road and children could be put in danger simply by just stepping out in front of a car.
"I can see a fatality on that road before long."
