Residents fight plan for £400,000 nursery

Barnardo's has submitted a full planning application to build the 50-place nursery and Sure Start offices on land next to the Kingsley Road Community Hall.

But the scheme has already come under fire from nearby residents.

Although many support the idea of the community nursery they believe Kingsley Road is the wrong place for it.

"We have four main reasons for opposing this site for the nursery," said Justine Elliott, chairman of Moonbeams playgroup, which operates in the community hall.

"We don't want this last bit of green space built on. The children will have nowhere to play, residents don't want the view spoiled by an ugly building, there is a problem with traffic, and we are concerned our playgroup could go under if this facility opens next door."

Ten residents have written letters to North Wiltshire District Council objecting to the plans, and 140 signatures have been collected on a petition.

Jon Doble, Barnardo's assistant director of children's service, said: "We were asked by the local authority to provide a neighbourhood nursery in an under-resourced area of Chippenham with funding from Sure Start and the National Lottery.

He said: "A site was identified for the nursery but residents and community groups have raised a number of concerns about its use.

"We have listened to all issues raised, and we are actively looking at alternative sites.

"We would stress that this is a wonderful opportunity to provide a much-needed resource in the area which will benefit children and families.

"The neighbourhood nursery will cater for 50 children and employ up to 20.

"We are keen that we do not lose the chance to give children in Chippenham the best possible start in life, so it is crucial we find a way forward which will be welcomed by all."

Wiltshire County Council's Early Years and Child Care Partnership worked closely with the Borough Lands and the district council to find a provider for the nursery.

It is part of a national initiative to create more childcare facilities for young children.

The Chippenham nursery will run alongside Sure Start, a Government scheme which works with local communities to tackle child poverty and social exclusion.

Through the nursery, Sure Start will be able to provide family support, advice on childcare and health, as well as early learning.

It will provide around £250,000 towards the cost of the nursery and Barnardo's has applied for £143,000 from the New Opportunities Fund.

But Kingsley Road residents have warned the facility could cause huge congestion problems in the cul-de-sac.

Mrs Elliott who lives at Cepen Park, said: "As I understand it, the nursery would share an access with the community hall. It is a narrow entrance into Kingsley Road, and a narrow entrance to the hall.

"The plan is for a 50-place nursery, and it won't just be the children who come the nursery staff will be arriving too, and at all different times of the day, mornings and afternoons.

"They will be combined with Sure Start offices and they will have staff going in and out.

"This is a major issue for the local community."

She said the district council, which owned the land, had promised when the hall was built that nothing else would be built on the plot.

The community hall was originally built to provide a new home for the former Sheldon Road Playgroup when it lost its premises.

But now Mrs Elliott fears the competition from the nursery could mean the demise of the Moonbeams playgroup.

Six months ago Mrs Elliott helped set up a meeting with Barnardo's to talk about its plans.

Two months ago she organised a public meeting. She said she wanted to get local people together to voice their concerns with representatives from Barnardo's and the district council.

She said: "People didn't want the green grass area taken away from local children.

"They were also concerned that there was insufficient parking for all the people that would be using the site.

"We're not upset with the general idea - it's just the position of it."