AN IMPASSIONED plea from the owner of a ‘lifeline’ nursery resulted in councillors taking the rare step of ignoring planning officers’ recommendations at a highly-charged meeting this week.

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 but they were told last year they would have to leave the premises as the school wished to establish a SEND provision in the rented nursery building.

The pair subsequently applied for planning permission to open a new unit on Carlton Industrial Estate - and they were hopeful this would allow the nursery to remain open.

However they were dealt a cruel blow last week after it was revealed planning officers had recommended to councillors on the planning board to reject the proposals.

The Chronicle understands that councillors have not gone against the recommendations from planning bosses for well over a decade - but a moving speech by Amanda led to a Hollywood-style movie ending as cheers rang out in the council chamber when councillors voted in favour of the plans.

In her emotional plea, Amanda said that refusal would lead to job losses for the nursery’s 12 staff members and disrupt the vital community services it provides - including a food and clothing bank and holiday clubs.

However, the head of planning Garry Hildersley reiterated to councillors they must make an ‘informed decision’ - stating there are clear dangers of a nursery being housed on an industrial estate.

Concerns around road safety for the children were paramount to the issues a planning report stated.

He said: “We are extremely empathetic to the situation that they (Shining Stars) are in at the moment.

“Ultimately, planning at the highest level is about the right thing in the right place.

“This isn’t the right thing at the right place.

“Our predominant fear is the potential impact and if something went wrong, god forbid, the council would be asked some very difficult questions.”

However, in an hour-long discussion it was clear that the councillors on the planning board were on the side of Amanda.

Coun Andy Wray said that Amanda gave perhaps the most compassionate speech in his two years on the board.

He added: “They are professionals, they know what they’re doing.

“How can we deny that lady her business?”

While Coun Neil Wright questioned the concern from planning officials due to the lack of opposition from residents in the area.

He said: “There’s not a lot of local opposition to this.

“Surely if it was thought there would be an issue then they would be raising that?”

Councillors ultimately voted in favour of the planning application - and Amanda said she thought it was a ‘dream’.

She told the Chronicle: “I feel like a weight has been lifted.

“My phone has been going crazy - we’ve done it.

“The future of the nursery and the future for these families has been secured.

“The councillors were very kind.

“I’m passionate and I live for my community.”

She said she didn’t dare to look during the vote.

“I knew what was at stake,” she added.

“I couldn’t look and when I saw all the hands I thought I was dreaming.

“Someone in front of me said that it was good news and I couldn’t believe it.

“I had to tell all my families straight away about the good news.”

Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokepserson for regeneration and culture, said responsibility now falls on the nursery to manage the risks.

He added: “As a council, we take health and safety very seriously.

“The professional recommendation of our planning officers was to refuse planning permission on the basis that it has the potential to introduce highway and pedestrian safety issues.

“The Planning Regulatory Board is an independent body and members made their decision following a thorough review and debate of the proposal taking all factors into consideration.( “Responsibility now falls to the nursery to manage the risks identified by planning officers and to make sure children and others attending the nursery can do so safely.”

What some of the councillors had to say at the meeting:

Coun Andy Wray: “This is probably the most compassionate person I’ve seen in the two years I’ve been on the planning board.

“They are professionals, they know what they’re doing.

“How can we deny that lady her business?

Coun Neil Wright: “There’s not a lot of local opposition to this.

“Surely if it was thought there would be an issue they would be raising that?”

Coun Chris Wray: “We have schools on nurseries on industrial estates.

“How is this not safe but they are?”

Coun David Greenhough: “The applicant is clearly very determined.

“You deserve some credit for that.”

Coun Dorothy Coates: “We’ve got far more to gain that we have got to lose.

“As a teacher I can’t imagine a situation where we would let a child get run over.

“I’m sure it won’t happen.

“I fully support them.”

Coun Robert Barnard: “It’s puzzling.

“It’s just beuracratic box ticking.

“How can we explain this (rejecting the proposals) to the public?”

Coun Nicola Sumner: “It’s such a shame.

“Amanda has not had a lot of support in finding suitable provision.

“I’m really torn.

“It is very unfortunate that we’re here as councillors.”

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