Excitement at plans to turn former tool hire shop into children’s play barn and café
TOWN councillors have given a warm reception to plans to build a children’s play barn and café in a former tool hire depot in Station Street.
The building once occupied by Speedy Hire would, as part of plans submitted to Derbyshire Dales District Council, become a play centre for children up to the age of nine.
If given the green light the centre would open from 9am until 5.45pm for three twohour play sessions per day, for a maximum of 30 children per session.
Although changing the use of the building does not require planning permission, the applicant K Wright, of Ashbourne-based firm DKMK Holdings Ltd, has applied for permission to slightly remodel the building’s frontage to make it more appropriate for its new use.
The town’s last children’s indoor play centre, Lunar Lift Off, was based in the Airfield Industrial Estate, but closed several years ago.
Acting as statutory consultees, town councillors discussed the plans on Monday night and
Councillor Caroline Cooper said: “I’ve had a good look at the plans and I think it’s a very good use of the building.” And other councillors reiterated that it would be a welcome asset to the town.
However, a few councillors did raise concern over the parking provision on the site.
Councillor Cooper said: “I counted up the number of tables in the café area, and there were 22. And I think, if it was full, there’s insufficient parking for 22 cars.
“I’ve got no objection to the
I’ve had a good look at I think it’s a very good use of the building..
Councillor Caroline Cooper
plans, I think it’s very good, but I just want planners to be mindful that if the café was full there would be nowhere for people to park.”
Some councillors pointed out that the building’s town centre location would mean many parents might choose to walk to the play centre, rather than drive and park.
According to the plans, which were created by Daniel Wright Architectural Design, most of the ground floor of the building would be taken up by the café, with a large section on the left used as the play area with a “village green” and a “town square”.
The top floor would become a shop space, and room was set aside for offices and storage.
The external plan allows for 18 parking spaces, and four staff parking spaces, around the depot’s frontage.
A local consultation has taken place and no neighbours objected to the plans, and Environmental Health has raised no objection.
The application will now be considered by Derbyshire Dales District Council’s planners, but no target date for determination has been given.