Plans to extend day care centre in Woodhall Spa given green light

Applicant Jodie Atkinson applied to East Lindsey District Council for the extension and alteration to an existing mixed used house and day nursery to provide living accommodation and additional daycare business space in Spa Road, Woodhall Spa.

The day care centre also applied to increase the number of children it can have on site from 24 to 30 children.

Members of East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee approved the application with conditions at a meeting on Thursday, November 6.

Coun Richard Cunnington (Independent – Skegness St Clements) said he supported the application.

He said: “I’ve looked at this carefully. The business is in a residential area and people are going to need childcare.

“It’s better off putting it somewhere where people can get to so that people have the opportunity to walk there, rather than drive. It could also create employment opportunities in the area.”

Coun Neil Jones (Conservative – Sibsey and Stickney ward) added: “We’re moving from 24 children to 30. It seems to be extremely well-managed and there are numerous conditions in place which are very thorough.”

But Coun Robert Watson (Green), who represents the Sutton on Sea ward, raised concerns about the possible impact to residents living nearby.

He said: “This is clearly quite a successful business and it is in a residential area. I’ve seen the site. It’s what I’d call a leafy lane.

“But it’s also adjacent to commercial properties at the back of it beyond the trees that we’ve seen.

“The lane itself is essentially quite a quiet character. This business is intending to double numbers in little more than 12 months.”

Coun Watson questioned at what point would businesses no longer be allowed to expand any further.

He said: “I’m just curious about what the planning rules are on a business like this? It clearly is a business in an essentially residential area.

“We have seen how the objections have grown from just one on a previous application to up to six or seven now. It’s clearly not going down too well.

“What’s to stop this business from becoming even larger? At what point do we as a council say enough is enough in what is essentially a residential area?”

“But at the same time, I’m a bit torn because I’m very much in favour of businesses like this starting up, succeeding and doing well. There’s clearly a demand for their services.”

Andrew Booth, development management lead officer at the district council, said: “This particular property at the moment already has permission that allows it to accommodate 24 children with conditions that seek to manage that.

“I would advocate that similar conditions to manage and safeguard amenities should be imposed.

“But it is a balanced judgement that’s needed and in terms of should permission be granted, I would seek that any further permission should have a condition on in terms of operating times so any further condition to intensify it would require a further planning application.”