New nursery wins bid to open in Fareham - despite resident's pollution fears
A resident’s plea to stop a new nursery opening on a busy road has fallen on deaf ears
A man objecting over plans to transform an empty hotel into a nursery has branded a council as “crazy” for approving the scheme.
Peter O’Sullivan firmly told members of the Fareham Borough Council planning committee he “is not a nimby” before voicing his concerns.
The committee met on Wednesday to discuss proposals to turn the Travel Rest hotel on The Avenue, Fareham, into a 110-place day nursery. The hotel closed in December 2024.
Speaking to the committee, Mr O’Sullivan said: “This site is adjacent to A27, which has heavy traffic at the time of the day that the majority of children will be visiting the nursery. This will create additional pollution.
“Are we crazy? Young children with vulnerable lungs are being picked up out of their cars [taken] to that door, with an increased level of pollution. I don’t understand the logic. This is a deliberate plan of increasing pollution levels.”
But Harry Rowland, on behalf of the applicant, said there is a growing need for another nursery in this area of the borough.
He explained that there will be 17 parking spaces available – six for staff members and 11 for parents and guardians, while others will be encouraged to drop off outside the nursery.
There are double yellow lines along this section of The Avenue.
Cllr Joanne Burton, Conservative for Sarisbury and Whiteley, said the minimal parking will create traffic issues.
“The reality is parents are not going to use public transport or walk their child to nursery, they are taking their child to nursery so they can go to work”, she said.
“I think the parking is a huge concern, and the noise level and the impact on the neighbours is significant.
“I am very sympathetic to the neighbours. In this case, the residents are going to be subjected to 10 to 11 hours a day of constant children.”
But Harry Rowland said the site had been used as a hotel for 40 years prior, and could continue to do so, if the plans were not given the green light.
He added: “By comparison, the nursery is highly managed with weekday and daytime use.”
Six councillors on the committee voted in favour of the plans, while three voted against. The application was approved.