Controversial nursery plan decision on hold
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a nursery at Badsworth J&I School – which have divided opinion in the village – were put on hold by councillors.
The proposal to build a single-storey detached building in front of the Main Street school, which attracted 96 letters of objection and 109 of support, was deferred at Wakefield Council's planning committee meeting.
Objectors fear the private nursery – which was based at St Mary's Centre, but has relocated to the school – will have an impact on the conservation area around nearby Grade I St Mary's Church and will be a "large, ugly and non-sympathetic" building.
They also have concerns about increased traffic and noise affecting funerals at the church.
Residents in favour of it say it will allow a "vital" facility to continue in the village and help children in transition to school.
Some parents have said they may have to give up work if a nursery isn't in the village.
Others wrote to the council with concerns the school could potentially close if children from outside the area didn't fill its quota of incoming pupils.
The nursery, a private business, employs eight staff and can look after up to 30 children.
The application was submitted by Vicky Stavely through agent Gareth Melling.
A report to the meeting, which recommended refusal of the plan, said: "It is concluded that the proposed nursery, due to its size and scale, appearance and location would result in the loss of an area of open space and tree cover clearly valued by the community.
"The proposal would fail to preserve the appearance of the conservation area and would fail to make a positive contribution to the character and local distinctiveness of the historic environment, which is not outweighed by the wider benefits of the scheme."
The application will come back before the planning committee at a later date.
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Weather for Wakefield
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
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Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
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