THE operators of a nursey on part of the site of a former pub in Stanford-le-Hope have been given retrospective planning permission to carry on.

The Crooked Billet pub on Billet Lane was shut down by the council in 2021 following a police investigation into crime and disorder and its licence later revoked.

The building was then used by Little Bunnies Childcare Services along with a martial arts academy but no formal planning application was submitted until the nursery owners reacted in January this year..

The nursery has now had a retrospective application to Thurrock Council, which has previously provided licences to the two business, approved.

A planning officer's report said: "The retrospective change of use and the proposed development would be acceptable in principle and raise no land use objections.

"The application is not harmful to the character and appearance of the building nor the wider application site. Nor would there be any detrimental impact upon the character and openness of the Green Belt the site lies within.

"The proposals would not result in harm upon neighbouring amenity and would not impact highway safety. No objections have been raised by consultees and no neighbour objections have been received."

The officer added: " While the conversion of a public house could be considered as a loss of a community facility, it could be argued that the retrospective use as a day nursery also contributes to the provision of a community facility. The day nursery also provides an education provision, which provides benefits to the wider community."

The application includes changing a staff room into a "baby room".

After the council closed down the pub, two firms started operations.

A refurbished front bar area is used as a nursery and hall is now used as a martial arts academy. The former beer garden was transformed into a playground for children.

The nursery is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm. It has 40 children aged two to five at any one time along with six children under two for the baby room.

The Combat Academy is open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 8pm and on Friday from 6am to 10pm,For all age groups, including children.