Nursery noise issues could see expansion plan rejected

A nursery's bid to increase the number of places it offers faces being knocked back because measures limiting the amount of noise the extra children might add could not be enforced.
Hipperholme Private Day nurseryHipperholme Private Day nursery
Hipperholme Private Day nursery

Hipperholme Private Day Nursery have applied to Calderdale Council for permission to vary their existing planning consent to increase the number of children they can take at the nursery, in Denholme gate Road, Hipperholme, from 67 to 98.

A previous application to increase the numbers has been turned down, but the latest application includes some important changes, says ward Councillor George Robinson (Conservative, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe).

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But officers are recommending permission be refused when it comes before the council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday, May 22.

They are backing some residents’ views that levels of noise the “forest school” could create will excessively disturb their peace and quiet. They also have concerns about parking and access.

The proposals have their supporters too, who say the nursery has always operated in a calm, courteous and controlled manner and with new homes planned in the area nursery places are needed. Traffic issues are really caused by the junction at Hipperholme, they say.

In all, of 18 letters of representation received by the council, seven are in support and 11 against.

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Councillor Robinson requested the application be put before the committee as this application contains two key changes to the one previously submitted unsuccessfully two years ago – an independent noise assessment which claims extra children would have no material impact on existing noise levels and a management plan which would ensure neighbours’ amenity and privacy would be respected.

Ahead of the meeting officers are concluding the development would be an overintensification of use likely to result in noise and disturbance to neighbours. Mitigation measures to would not be sufficient or enforcable, they say.

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