Peace talk Nursery rejects fears over ‘crying babies’

ANURSERY has reassured residents over concerns about babies crying as it seeks permission to open its windows.

Winton House Day Nursery, in Cheltenham, has fixed frames on the first floor of its Warden Hill Road premises.

At present, it has to operate fans for ventilation at the site, which has limits on the number of children allowed outside at any one time.

Staff are restricted to taking five for each play session in the garden so it does not cause issues for people living nearby.

Alongside the planning application to solve the issues with the windows, there is a separate one asking for the go-ahead to increase the number of children allowed outside to 12.

A letter to Cheltenham Borough Council states: “Any potential noise source (re: the windows), ie. babies crying, is not sustained, as it is the job of a nursery to retain a peaceful environment. Furthermore, by virtue of their age, the babies have scheduled nap times during the nursery’s opening hours.

“Consequently, it is considered any potential noise could be classified as ‘present and not intrusive.’ Therefore it is considered that removal of the condition would not have any impact on residential amenity.”

The nursery was visited by a council enforcement officer on July 25 after complaints from a neighbour.

Bosses emphasised that children are “not excessively loud”.

At present, they can play outside between 10am and 4pm.

The restriction for five children using the garden dates back to 2000 when planners first gave permission for the ground floor of a large detached house to be turned into the childcare facility.

It is claimed its current operation is ‘ineffective’ due to the various limits imposed.

Planners will decide on the two applications in the coming weeks.

The nursery had not responded to a request for comment at the time of going to press.

It is the job of a nursery to retain a peaceful environment

Winton House Day Nursery