Nursery plan for old restaurant in Aldridge

Little Ripley Day Nurseries has submitted a proposal to Walsall Council planners to make changes to Simon’s Restaurant on Chester Road.

These changes will include creating a new play area, erecting a new two metre high fence, alterations to the existing building and creating a new mini-roundabout on the site to help traffic flow.

Permission to use the site as a day nursery has been previously granted and the applicants say the alterations will enable the scheme to move forward.

According to their application, the building has been vacant since the restaurant stopped using it in August last year.

Two proposals to open a children’s nursery on the site have been previously put forward before being withdrawn prior to this one being registered.

Planning agent S A Spence said: “It is intended that the proposed external alterations to the existing structures will be minor in scale, and will not materially affect the character of the main structure.

“Furthermore, the buildings will be refurbished to a high standard which will improve the amenity of the site.

“In order to identify the main entrance and to facilitate the delivery/collection of the children to the nursery, an open canopy structure is proposed.

“This will address the issue of different floor levels and it will also provide security for the staff and children by preventing unauthorised access around the site.

“A roundabout will be provided to facilitate vehicular movement for the delivery and collection of children, and service deliveries.

“The existing external car park towards the rear of the site is to be excavated and lawned to provide the main play area.

A two metre high timber fence is proposed between the retained car parking area and the redundant car park to ensure privacy and a safe playing environment for the children and staff.