New nursery to open in Thatcham?

Operator applies to open in town centre building

A NEW nursery could open in Thatcham if plans are given the green light.

Children could be heading to the Wagtech building, as Little Me Day Nurseries has applied to convert the former office building in Station Road that has been empty for four months.

A supporting statement prepared by agent MBI Surveyors said that the nursery was sensitive to the demands of the local area and keen to move to Thatcham to support its nursery in Basingstoke.

It added that the nursery will provide valuable employment opportunities for local people by creating more than 20 jobs, and there was a strong local demand for a nursery.

Little Me is also proposing to extend the office's garden to create "a peaceful educational environment" through a reading garden.

The agent added that it expected the nursery to generate less noise than the former offices.

MBI said that the nursery will stagger its use throughout the day, meaning that it will never be at full occupancy.

It said this will "significantly reduce the car parking stress at any one time", allowing staff to better monitor and manage parking.

The nursery will be accessed via the rear entrance, which the agent said will be safer for children and will discourage parents dropping their children off at the front of the building.

There will be a loss of four parking spaces, eight down from 12, but 12 cycle spaces will be added.

The nursery said it will encourage families to walk or cycle to the nursery and expects staff and parents to use public transport, which it said there was an abundance of in the town centre.

Following pre-application talks with West Berkshire Council, planners have indicated that the nursery would not lead to increased traffic levels over the existing office use.

The nursery plans to open from 7.30am until 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.

To view and comment on the application enter 15/02166/FUL into West Berkshire Council's planning website.