Plan to convert former restaurant in Aldridge into nursery for 130 children refused over highway safety
A bid to convert a locally listed former restaurant building into a nursery for 130 children has been refused.
Little Ripley Day Nurseries Ltd had submitted plans to convert the former Simon’s Restaurant on Chester Road, Aldridge, into the childcare facility.
But members at a Walsall Council planning committee meeting on Thursday (October 30) refused the plans over highway concerns, in line with officers’ recommendations.
Speaking in favour of the application was Ruth Appleby, the founder of the nursery company.
She said she wanted to restore the former Chinese restaurant building, which has become subject to anti-social behaviour, and also address the shortage of childcare places in the borough.
In December last year Ofsted described Walsall as a ‘childcare desert’ as the borough had the lowest number of places (13.5 per 100 children) compared to other authorities in the West Midlands.
But Councillor Mark Statham, the portfolio holder for children’s services at Walsall Council, questioned the Ofsted figures, stating there was a 10 per cent oversupply of places in the borough.
The issue of highway safety was central to discussions for members, which was one of the reasons for the planning officers’ refusal.
It was heard that officers had given advice to the applicant to address some of the concerns, none of which was incorporated into the plans.
Councillor Suky Samra said: “Here we have a building that has been disused for many years and subjected to anti-social behaviour.
“It’s disappointing that what we’ve heard today is that the applicant had an opportunity to address the concerns but that advice was not taken. This application could have had a very different outcome had the agent been proactive with our officers.”
Councillor Bobby Bains added: “There does appear to be a shortage of nursery places. Investment in this beautiful house is much welcome.
“But with the way the site is, most children would come by car, therefore I don’t think we could get past the officers’ recommendation.”
Councillor Nick Gandham added: “It’s been a derelict building for several years and it’s a shame to see buildings coming to disuse and not creating jobs or being utilised in the correct manner.
“We do need to consider the fact that this was a restaurant previously, which had busy incomings and outgoings with trade throughout the day.
“Having the children picked up and dropped off, would probably, in retrospect, cause less traffic at certain points in the day than it did as a restaurant.”
Councillor Mike Bird, chairman of the committee, said: “Really you need to concentrate your efforts on the issue of highway safety, I wouldn’t want any death of a child or anybody there on my head.”
Members voted unanimously to refuse the application.
