Council approves Yattendon day nursery change of use

West Berkshire Council has approved the change of use of a former children’s day nursery to a residential dwelling.

The proposal, submitted by Christian Howell in July, will involve adding extensions to the south and west sides of the Orchard Day Nursery bungalow in Yattendon, following the demolition of the existing conservatory.

The proposal will utilise the existing access point and parking provision.

Highways recommended the application for conditional approval, pending the inclusion of an electric charging point which must be a minimum of seven kilowatts.

Yattendon and Frilsham Parish Councils objected to this proposal on multiple counts including tree conversation, the increased impact on the capacity of the septic tank and its proximity to the River Pang, plus the increased demand on the existing borehole.

The councils also voiced concern about how the proposal appears to double the size and change the character of the existing dwelling, which is situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Residents echoed similar reservations.

“It is appalling that the owner has already removed a large number of large, mature trees from the site,” said Michael Wilson.

“Despite what is stated in the application document, this application intends to virtually double the size of the building's footprint,” commented another.

But local resident Jonathan Burbage lent his support to the application, saying: “The ex-nursery is at present in a very bad state of repair and completely uninhabitable and has been for several years. It is an eyesore.”

The district council granted conditional approval to the proposal on Friday, September 22.