A former nursery will be demolished to build nine new homes, despite concerns raised by residents and councillors. The former Wishing Well Day Nursery in Oakfields Road, Lady Bay, will be converted into homes despite worries over the site being at high risk of flooding.
Applicant The Buckinghams applied to Rushcliffe Borough Council for the development, which was approved during a planning committee meeting on December 8. Council officers said the site in Lady Bay was “challenging to develop”.
Nine councillors voted in favour and one voted against the plans for eight two-bedroom and one three-bedroom properties. There would also be an underground car park for 13 vehicles.
Residents raised concerns over the style of the building, but council officers reiterated that design is “subjective matter” and “just because something differs from its surroundings, it does not mean it should be refused”.
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Five residents sent letters of objection, citing visual impacts, parking, privacy, noise and flood risks. Each property will have a balcony and there will be a communal outside space for residents.
Concerns were raised over the site being in flood zone three – meaning there is high risk of flooding – but council officers said there are flood defences in place and the Environment Agency did not object.
A resident objecting to the application said: “The buildings are totally out of character with the rest of the road. “I am not opposed to affordable new homes being built, I am not a NIMBY but the new proposed homes have fewer parking bays than bedrooms. This will exacerbate the parking issues already present on Oakfields Road.
“I am also concerned that the loss of a nursery building is a community asset which is as needed as new homes in the area. The officer’s recommendations do not seem to take into account the reality on the ground.”
Councillor Richard Mallender, who represents Lady Bay for the Green Party, objected to the plans and said: “All the residents have said it is a shame that the Wishing Well nursery closed. The problem is the size and scale and the look of the building.
“Many people feel it is out of keeping with the area. It is predominately Victorian housing. There is concern that people will have more than one car and there will be further pressure on the area. I do welcome the underground parking.”
Councillor Roger Upton, who represents Radcliffe on Trent for the Conservatives, added: “I think the existing building is out of character and it had probably come to the end of its life. Anything that replaces it will be an improvement.
“Design is very subjective and it changes over time. It’s a brownfield site and I am minded to support it.”
Councillor Sarah Bailey, who represents Thoroton for the Conservatives, added: “I think its a challenging design but we’ve got to look and see what it could replace it because the existing building is not an attractive building.
“I think it’s got that in its favour. If I’m honest I like the design, I think it will look a lot nicer than what’s there at the moment. I feel that we need housing so as long as we’re mindful of the flood risk, I have no objections to it.”
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