There are plans for change within the grounds of The Grange in D’Urton Lane, due to the ‘demonstrable need for additional early years childcare’ in a ‘fast-expanding’ residential area.

Nursery operator, LUV Nurseries seeks approval for change of use from a residential property to a children’s day nursery.

Plans include the retention of the main house and its courtyard outbuildings as the centre piece of the new nursery, followed by demolition of two outbuildings and the construction of four new single-storey classrooms.

This is to make space for a new purpose-built accommodation for use by the nursery, it is also proposed to use the facilities for private swimming and dance lessons on Saturdays.

A planning document states ‘the setting will include a swimming pool, arts centre to provide a tranquil environment within mature grounds.’

Read more: New Oakhill vets branch in Fulwood prepares to open doors 

The Grange Nursery will provide 150 places with a classroom mix of 30 babies (zero-18months), 40 lower toddlers (18months to two year olds), 40 toddlers (two year olds to three year olds) and 40 pre-school aged children (three year olds to four year olds).

The four new classrooms will each have a private garden area and will wrap around the existing courtyard outbuildings, to the east, south and west, with a Link corridor connecting the old and the new.

The proposal will create 35 jobs within the local area, comprising 20 full-time and 15 part-time jobs.

The day nursery will operate between 7.30am and 6pm from Monday to Friday, meanwhile on Saturdays it will be open for limited private swimming and dance classes only from 9am to 5pm.

Read more: Leyland Trucks to take on 24 new apprentices – how to apply

On Sunday and Bank Holidays the nursery will remain closed.

The Grange Nursery is said to be in a sustainable location for parents living in Cottam, Fulwood and Broughton, and with good commuting and travel links by car, public transport or on foot.

If plans are approved, the crossover and accessway via D’Urton Lane, will be widened to allow two-way car movement in and out of the site.

A new pedestrian footpath will lead from the site frontage, up through the gardens, to the main drop-off and courtyard area, which anchors the whole development and draws the eye up the hill.

Read more: Little Rascals nursery in Fulwood shuts with one day’s notice

The proposal will create 40 car parking spaces on site, including two disabled use spaces.

The design and access statement prepared by architects Andrew Cunningham Building Design said:

“The applicant is an experienced nursery operator, and the proposal will provide high quality childcare provision and meet an identified need within an expanding residential area in which there are insufficient nursery places.”

“It is considered that there is a demonstrable need for additional early years childcare to serve existing and future communities which will expand as a result of the planned housing growth in the North West Preston area.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines