Objectors fail to halt expansion to nursery

Nov 27 2008 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

A HAMILTON children’s nursery have revised their expansion plans after complaints from residents.

The nursery was opened seven years ago on the first floor of the former Buccaneer pub at the corner of Tuphall Road and Morgan Street.

Sylvia English, 58 Tuphall Road,applied for planning permission to open an ‘out of school’ club on the building’s first floor which would comprise three study rooms, a games room, four toilets and a preparation area.

Up until now, the first-floor accommodation has been used for flats.

There had also been proposals for a first-floor level ‘outdoor study area’ on a flat roof within the complex and a six-foot security fence around the property.

However, the scheme prompted eight letters of objection from seven people living in Tuphall Road and Morgan Street. Several complained that use of the flat roof area would impact on their privacy.

However, planner Gail Campbell told last week’s Hamilton area committee that the scheme had been revised in response to the objections and no longer included access to the flat-roof area and proposals for the six-foot security fence had also been amended.

People were concerned that a higher fence would impair visibility of drivers using the Morgan Street/Tuphall Road junction.

Ms Cameron dismissed complaints concerning parking, potential traffic congestion, and fire escape provision.

Recommending approval of the application, she said: “I am satisfied that the proposal complies with adopted andfinalised local plan policy.”