Nursery plan at beauty clinic in Brownhills refused
A proposal to build a nursery on top of beauty salon in Brownhills have been thrown out by planning officers.
Walsall Council had received an application to treble the current size of The Surgery in Short Street to give it two new floors and provide space for a 60-child nursery.
In the proposal, the applicants said United Group of Companies would run the nursery and beauty and scanning clinic as separate businesses.
But planners said increasing the building by two extra stories would be out of character in that area and overbearing for neighbours.
Agents Extension Design Services said: “The proposal is to construct a two floor nursery over the existing single storey beauty/scanning clinic.
“The nursery will cater for children from one month to five years of age and the two businesses will be entirely separate and operate side by side, both owned and managed by the United Group of Companies.
“The 60 child scheme is the minimum needed to achieve economic viability of the proposal with regard to investment and ongoing maintenance/running costs.
“Customers using both the clinic and the nursery can park vehicles on two existing public car parks providing 133 car parking spaces – 43 spaces immediately adjacent to the site and 90 within 100metres walking distance.
“It is anticipated that customers of the nursery will park for, on average, 10 minutes for each drop-off and pick-up visit.
“There will be two dedicated disabled car parking spaces provided on site together with a dedicated car parking space for the general manager.
“There are pedestrian links to nearby Brownhills High Street and the busy shopping area together with public transport links.
“It is hoped that when parents/guardians of the children using the nursery drop off their children, they may well venture into the shopping areas to use the stores and establishments.
“The nursery will provide a safe, secure and educational environment for the children served and be amply staffed by 12 dedicated personnel.”
But planning officer Mike Brereton said: “The overall bulk and mass of the extensions with a resulting three-storey appearance is considered would not reflect the character of the area, which is predominantly two storey in height, and would result in an overbearing appearance to occupiers of the single storey residential properties directly opposite.”
