New pre-school classroom will go ahead despite 22 objections
Plans to build a new portable classroom to expand a pre-school in a Nottinghamshire village have been given the go-ahead after a debate over whether it was suitable for the area. Newark & Sherwood District Council has given final approval for Little Elms Pre-School to build the extra room next to their main building, located on Main Street in Oxton.
The portable classroom will create 17 more places for toddlers aged 15 to 23 months, increasing the school's capacity from 55 to 72 children. The school is located on the Green belt and within the Oxton Conservation Area.
Oxford Parish Council and 22 residents objected to the plans, raising concerns over flood risks, visual impacts to the village, parking issues and noise disturbances. The application was discussed at Newark & Sherwood District Council's planning committee meeting on Thursday, June 5.
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Resident Ian Wigglesworth, who lives next to the site, opposed the plans over its design, visual impacts to neighbours and noise concerns.
During the meeting, he said: 'There are three beautiful buildings within 30 metres of the proposed cabin. It's not really keeping with what we want for the village to have this unit building located there.
'I live next door to the proposed building; this will directly affect us. It will have a massive effect and impact on our daily lives.
'We worked hard to live in Oxton, to live in a lovely area. I'm quite emotional about this, and I'm really dead against it.'
Cllr Hannah Lempick, representing Oxton Parish Council, said the council 'fully support the nursery in its capacity' but oppose the extension over its design and parking at the site.
She said: 'The structure proposed for the outbuilding doesn't compliment the surrounding properties. We have great concerns with the parking capacity, parking management and safety of children at peak times due to cars not being appropriately parked.'
Cllr Celia Brooks (Lab) supported the plans, saying there is a demand for pre-school spaces in the district – but said noise isn't an issue the committee should consider.
She said in the meeting: 'There is an urgent need for pre-school places at the moment. It doesn't matter where they are, there are always parking problems.
'I thought the front of the building alleviates them to some extent – I've been to some pre-schools where you have to park on the main road to drop children off.'
Supporting the application, Cllr Tim Wildgust (Con) said the extension will have an overall positive impact on the village. However, he asked if the building can include soundproofing to minimise noise to residents.
He said: 'I can't justify any real reasons for it not to go in place. It's a temporary portable cabin for five years, there is a little harm to the Green Belt.
'But the temporary nature of the structure is outweighed to the benefits of the community in terms of increased employment and the child placements, which are needed.'
Cllr Penny Rainbow (Con) opposed the plans, saying she is 'fearful' over the building's impact to the Green Belt, as well as its character and appearance.
She said in the meeting: 'I'm very fearful this is something that shouldn't be going into the Green Belt. We also have to consider the character and appearance of the Conservation area, and its design.
'The design of a temporary classroom is very difficult to make look appealing.'
Councillors approved the plans with a majority vote. The classroom will measure 2.8 metres tall, 11 meters in length, 3.8 meters in width and be located to the north of the school's existing building.
The external walls will be made out of horizontal timber-cladding with white plastic windows and doors. Plans will see the school's existing wooden fence moved to make space for the new classroom.
The school caters to children aged six months to five years, employing 11 full-time staff.
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