A ‘LIFELINE’ nursery which cares for almost 100 children have had their dreams of a miracle dashed after planning bosses recommended councillors to refuse their application to move premises.
Shining Stars Day Care and Nursery has been based in the grounds of St Helen’s Primary School in Monk Bretton since the pandemic.
It is run by Katie Harris and owner Amanda Goodier, who were told that they would have to leave their current premises last year and had set out plans to move to another unit at Carlton Industrial Estate - and they were hopeful this would ensure the nursery would remain open.
However, the pair were dealt a devastating blow earlier this week after finding out their application is set to be rejected by councillors at a planning meeting on Tuesday.
A report states: “The application is for the change of use of an industrial unit to use as a nursery.
“The layout plan indicates that 98 children can be accommodated in the building.
“An amended plan showing the layout of the space around the building including parking, drop off zones and play area has since been submitted.
“The applicant currently operates a nursery from a building in the grounds of a primary school in Monk Bretton but has been given notice because the school wishes to establish a SEND provision in the rented nursery building.
“Parents would be expected to drop off their children within the site.
“The outdoor play space would be a shared space which would also function as a drop off space for four vehicles when not being used as a play space.
“Two further tandem drop off spaces would be located to the north of the building.”
The report states the council have offered the nursery alternative sites, but Amanda has said these are not suitable for what they are trying to do with the nursery.
Planning permission is set to be refused, mainly down to concerns from the council’s highways department over road safety.
The report added: “Enterprising Barnsley have suggested a number of alternative locations in the local area, however, the applicant has rejected them all as unsuitable.
“The highways department express concerns that the proposed site layout fails to provide safe and functional arrangements for access, parking and drop-off collection.
“These shortcomings present risks to both traffic flow on the highway network and the safety of site-users, particularly children.
“In responding to the proposed tracking layout and highways technical note, highways officers express concerns that the tracking information shows that the manoeuvre through the main access gate to the drop off zone cannot be undertaken in a single manoeuvre.”
No comments were received by local councillors in regards to the application, though one representation was received by the council from a member of the public supporting the plans.
It said: “The nursery is crucial for their children’s education and development and that the feedback from parents and local businesses has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It is disheartening to learn additional evidence is needing regarding the use of the building and car parking facilities.
“Our agent is working tirelessly to address these concerns, but we need the council’s support to move forward.
“Fellow parents and community members are encouraged to support the application through letters, emails or personal discussions with council members.”
Despite the support, the council say these points ‘cannot be taken into account’ and the application is due to be rejected on Tuesday.
