FAMILIES RAISE CONCERNS AS EX-NURSERY SET FOR AUCTION
Site offered with a guide price of £235k
A FORMER council-owned nursery school is set to go under the hammer today – with neighbouring families worried what the future might hold for the site.
The one-time Stanfield Nursery, in Dollys Lane, Burslem, is being auctioned off with a guide price of £235,000.
And the plot, which is being marketed by Butters John Bee, comes with permission for a 40-bed care home which was approved despite objections from residents.
According to the brochure advertising the sale, the site, which was granted the planning consent two years ago, has ‘potential for alternative uses’.
However, families living near the former nursery say a narrow driveway – which rises up a steep ramp high above neighbouring properties – means that vehicles would not be able to access the site, particularly heavy goods vehicles during construction of any new facility.
They are also concerned it would add to parking problems down the road, which is already heavily used by Port Vale fans during match days.
Resident Julie Haywood, aged 61, of Dollys Lane, said: “It should not be anything but a nursery. It’s close to my house and who would want HGVS going up there? No-one in their right mind.
“When we bought our house in 1982 the nursery was already here, but that was fine. They wouldn’t let cars go up the pathway.
“I don’t think they are going to be able to sell it. I don’t think anyone will want to buy it for £235,000.”
Neighbour John Clark, aged 63, said: “We have put up with this for the last four years. I don’t know who will buy it, but we certainly don’t want a care home. We are just a bit nervous about who will buy it.
“We’ve had all sorts of vandalism going on late at night.
“Parking would be a problem. We already have it bad when Port Vale are playing.
“As a nursery, it would be great. Even as a private house it would be fine. But we are a bit nervous about what will happen.”
John Kovacs, aged 63, of Dollys Lane, said: “I would like to see it become a nursery school again, but that will not happen. I don’t know if they will sell it, not at that price.”
Plans for the site, which were approved in 2016, were to demolish the former nursery building and build a three-storey, 40-room care home, including a sauna, salon, cinema and bingo room.
The development was expected to create around 50 jobs. However the site is now back on the market.