Nursery proposed on site of former care home

A former care home in Surrey is set to be transformed into a nursery for nearly 100 children.

The old Queens Park Lodge building in Caterham would become a day centre if a planning application submitted to Tandridge District Council is approved.

Squirrel Wood Properties Ltd, who put in the application, said the nursery would cater for up to 95 children and have about 26 full-time staff, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It follows a public consultation held in September, where the developer said the proposal was "generally well received", despite concerns around traffic and parking.

The nursery's regular opening hours would be from 08:00 to 18:00 BST from Monday to Friday.

However, the developer said limited childcare spots would be offered for an extra hour either side.

The home expects to have less than 95 children for most days, given some children are part-time attendees, and pick-up and drop-off times would be spread out rather than happening at a single peak time.

A small rear extension would also be built, which would create more space for babies and toddlers.

The planning statement said: "The scheme would provide much-needed early years and childcare accommodation.

"[It would] make effective use of an existing building, retain a substantial proportion of the existing garden, provide dedicated parking and drop-off facilities, and introduce a modest and visually subordinate rear extension."

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