CONCERNS raised by neighbours and opposition from councillors has led to a refusal of planning permission for the operators of a nursery in Stanford-le-Hope, who wanted to expand their business to take up to 20 children.

An application for planning permission at a Branksome Avenue home came before last week's meeting of Thurrock Council's planning committee.

The application was submitted following an enforcement investigation relating to the alleged unauthorised use of the dwelling for a business use as a day nursery use, known as 'Rose Buddies'.

The action followed a petition submitted by six local residents suggesting that the applicant has been operating a child care business from the property from 'early 2020' and neighbouring residents have had continuing concerns about the day nursery use of the property.

The council first received a planning enforcement complaint about the use of the property as a day nursery business on 23 September last year.

Following enforcement investigations the applicant stated that they had been operating as an independent child minder but had been looking to expand to a more formal child care/day nursery business at the premises, looking after up to 20 children while still using it as the family home.

The business employs three staff, including the property owner, and would take on three more if the business expanded.

Cllr Gary Byrne, who is a ward councillor for the Homesteads where the business is based, said: "This couple moved into this house with the sole intention of starting a business, it is fair to say this couple have flouted every planning rule in the book?

Officer Nadia Houghton was a little circumspect in her answers and said that in an application where there were complaints, neighbours might not say what the applicant might say.

She pointed out the applicant's belief in the justification of her business and the depth and concern expressed by neighbours, saying: "I would imagine somewhere between the two the truth lies."

Cllr Byrne went on to say he believed granting permission would have an adverse aspect on the area, significantly increasing traffic flow by adding up to 50 vehicles a day to an area that was already being earmarked for traffic reduction and calming measures."

Highways officer Julian Howes said he did not think there would be a problem with intensification of traffic, but he did highlight potential problems with drop off and parking.

That applicant's agent Dean Hermitage told members a child-minding business had been taking place at the venue since 2017, and said there was a need for childcare in the Homesteads ward.

He said: "Your officers say the principle is acceptable but raised noise and parking issues." He disagreed with some of the officers' conclusions but said that the applicants were ready to accept conditions that limited the amount of time children were outside to mitigate those noise issues.

He said that the parking concerns were not proportionate to reality but again the owners were happy to accept conditions.

Cllr Byrne was not impressed and said that the applicant and agent were understating the real implications of parking and drop-off.

Committee chairman Tom Kelly declared some sympathy for the applications, but said: "It's a bit too much for the neighbours though it is with a tiny bit of regret we can't give this the green light."

He agreed it was 'an important and much-needed service' but the application 'wasn't quite right, saying: "It's probably a bit much given its location."

Cllr Mike Fletcher said: "This is just the wrong location unfortunately."

Cllr Byrne said he and fellow ward councillors Gary Collins and James Halden would "jump through hoops to help this business but you cannot do it in a house."

After the meeting the applicant, Vicki Jarosz, spoke to Thurrock Nub News to say: "I have been an Ofsted-registered childminder since 2017 and since seeing the increased demand for childcare due to new housing developments in the area I wanted to be able to expand my setting to be able to welcome more children through a Childcare on Domestic Premises registration.

"I am deeply saddened that this has been refused after working with the requests from the council over the past few months.

"We have some amazing childminder in Stanford-le-Hope and I am proud to work alongside so many people offering high quality childcare.

"I employ two apprentices under my current registration and hoped to be able to offer further training positions to local residents but sadly at the moment this is now not possible.

"I just want to thank all the families currently using my service for their support and look forward to continuing working as a childminder in our lovely town."