A Stockport pub that closed down last summer after more than 40 years could become a children’s nursery. Plans to convert the Silver Jubilee, in Heaton Norris, into a childcare facility for to 52 children have been submitted by Tiny Turtles Daycare. The centre would open Monday to Friday and cater for ages ranging from newborn babies to five-year-olds.
Proposals for the vacant Hamilton Square building include three new classrooms, a children’s play area and a meeting room. There would also be an office and kitchen. The site is in the ‘heart of Heaton Norris ’, off Belmont Way next to Asda and Farm Farm Foods. Access is via the car park shared with the two supermarkets.
Planning documents describe the applicant as ‘a highly experienced owner of other day nurseries in South Manchester ’. And with ‘few’ other child care options in the area, they believe the site would ‘serve the Heatons community well’ - particularly with its central location and proximity to Wellington Road North’.
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Papers claim that the ‘convenient location’ would attract local residents to the day nursery, which would strive to ‘provide quality facilities for the benefit of the local community and their children.’
The applicant seeks planning permission on the grounds the scheme would:
- Bring this vacant building back into occupation and minimise vandalism
- Change the use to create a quality community facility
- Address a need within the area that has been researched extensively
- Become an integral part of the community environment.
- Create around 12 new jobs
There are no plans to extend the existing building although there would be internal alterations to adapt if for childcare purposes.The former pub is described as ‘well suited for’ this new use, boasting ‘the large floor areas required for young children’. Inside, there is ‘substantial’ room to accommodate staff, toilet facilities and, potentially, an extra classroom.
There are also outside play areas surrounding the building, with a two-metre security fence around the playground ‘for the safety of the children’. Internal and external CCTV to control any antisocial behaviour and ‘assist the local police for any crimes committed’ in and around the site.
The nursery would be served by three dedicated parking spaces - including a disabled parking bay - as well as a further three spaces in the public car park for pick up and drop off. According to WhatPub, this local was originally to be called the Odd Spots (it replaced the nearby Oddfellows Arms). However the occasion of the 1977 Queen's Jubilee inspired a change of name change - as celebrated by plaque in the vestibule.
Stockport council will decide whether to grant permission for the change of use.
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