Nursery Only Allowed Five Kids In Playground At One Time After Complaints From Neighbours

A nursery is currently in a planning debate with its neighbours, who want to limit them to allow no more than five children in the playground at any given time.

Cheltenham based Winton House Day Nursery opened several years ago, but following repeated complaints from one neighbour, is now the subject of some very stringent operating restrictions.

The regulations include instructing the nursery - which is attended by 40 children - to keep windows shut at all times to avoid disturbing locals, and also stipulate that only five children should be allowed outside to play at one given time.

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However, nursery bosses are now urging planners to relax the restrictions.

The nursery have requested permission for 12 children to be allowed out to play together in one go, and also asked for nine windows in the six-room baby unit.

The application submitted by the nursery says: "The children who attend Winton Day Nursery are, by virtue of their age and sociability, not excessively loud.

"Any potential noise source, 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."

Despite their plea, three neighbours have submitted written objections to Cheltenham Borough Council, saying noisy play ruins the enjoyment of their gardens.

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One complainant wrote: "Unfortunately when we sit in the garden our pleasure is greatly diminished by the noise of shrieking children.

"We appreciate that there is a need for nurseries but surely a business such as this would be better sited in an area of family homes.

"We feel that it is rather unfair that we cannot enjoy peace and quiet in our own garden."

Another pointed out that many people living in the bungalows surrounding the nursery are retired, while a third complainant who has lived on the street for 19 years, said that whilst they have accept the current level of noise, the idea of it getting louder is distressing.

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The property in Warden Hill Road was converted from a residential property into a nursery for 20 children aged from birth to five years in 2000.

It has a 300 square metre garden which is surrounded by laurel hedging and a cluster of mature trees, beyond which are neighbouring bungalows.

Not all neighbours are against the application, with one, who lives directly next door to the nursery, even writing in support of their application.

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The resident, who runs their business from home, wrote: "Throughout the summer I have the windows open and so am as directly impacted by noise from the nursery and their gardens as anyone could be.

"The noise in the day from the garden is very light, there is a background sound of children playing which is nice and barely noticeable.

"This never disturbs me working in the office and I can't recall a single time when I have been inconvenienced or annoyed by the noise."

A decision on the application is expected to be made next week.

Topics: Children, Life News, Real

Joanna Freedman

Joanna is a journalist at Tyla with a particular interest in highlighting women's issues and telling inspiring first person stories. She's also their resident foodie, and loves covering exciting new beauty launches, too. Contact her at [email protected].

@joannafreedman