Plans are in place to bring a crèche, day nursery and after school club to the site of a former call centre in Armagh.
A planning application lodged by MBA Planning Ltd on behalf of the Little Orchard Nursery Ltd, is seeking approval to part convert the premises as well as having outdoor recreation space and new window and door openings to the rear of the Formation Works, at 2 Edenaveys Industrial Estate.
The application form notes the 962sqm site was formerly a kitchen of the call centre at the site and a first floor store.
According to the supporting statement submitted alongside the application, the nursery is a joint venture between the building’s landlord, Portbannis Ltd, and a local child care provider who will operate the facility.
It is reported the proposal will “generate employment for 51 staff over a range of full and part time roles” and the £600,000 fit-out will create 41 construction jobs.
The statement also goes on to suggest the project will, once operational, result in a net contribution of £30,000 to the rateable income of the council.
Noting the need for such a facility in the area, it is pointed out there are currently three comparable crèche facilities in the city and the proposed tenant is aware “parents are choosing to bypass the existing provision in the city and use the facilities in the next settlements to avoid travelling through traffic congestion”.
It also explains that each of the children’s rooms will have its own access into a new area of outdoor recreation space and this will result in the creation of four new double doorway openings created along the rear elevation.
Operating weekly between 7:30am and 6pm the facility will provide two baby and cot rooms; two toddler rooms with toilet provision; one preschool room with toilet provision; one after school room with toilet provision; a sensory room and other ancillary accommodation including a staff room, kitchen, reception and stores.
On the first floor, a 270sqm area will be used as an interactive space for use by all age groups.
The nursery will be able to accommodate 110 pupils and if it is filled it is estimated there will be a total of 33 people walking from and to the site on a daily basis, two cyclists; 48 cars; 66 car passengers; two taxis and two buses.
The peak time for these journeys will be between 8am and 9am and 5pm and 6pm and it notes the parking requirement for the new facility is less than the current provided spaces on site.
Lodged on Monday, June 27, the application’s neighbour consultation period will expire on Tuesday, August 2 and its standard consultation period will expire on Monday, August 8. The application will be advertised until Friday, August 12.
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