Plan for Montessori-style nursery rejected

Twm Owen, Local Democracy Reporter

Planning permission for a Montessori style nursery in a former chapel has been formally rejected after neighbours’ concerns about noise and parking were raised.

The application was recommended for approval by councillors in July but they instead said they couldn’t overcome concerns raised about the potential impact on neighbours already living in flats in the floor above the converted chapel that was previously used as office space and art gallery. 

Councillors also said a lack of parking for the chapel, on the junction of Twyn Square with Castle Parade in Usk, would undermine road safety. 

A report setting out two reasons for refusal was brought back to Monmouthshire County Council’s August planning committee meeting in line with the authority’s procedure when a decision is made against the advice of planning officers. 

Planning officer Kate Bingham reminded councillors: “There were no external changes to the building (the application) was just the use of the ground floor to accommodate up to 24 children.” 

Conservative Councillor Phil Murphy, who chairs the planning committee, said: “We debated this extensively last time and members decided to go against the officer recommendation. 

“It is before us simply to confirm the reasons for refusal.” 

The two reasons listed for refusing planning permission were a nursery would lead to “an unacceptable increase in noise and disturbance to the residents of the flats above” and “intensification in use of the building will adversely impact highway safety as the site fails to provide safe and easy access for road users and pedestrians.” 

The application was refused with 11 councillors supporting the refusal while two members of the committee abstained. 

Before the application was considered in July the planning department received 17 objections to the proposal and 27 comments in support of the nursery which as already been in partial use. 

According to the application the nursery would be run following the Montessori method which focuses on independent, hands-on learning, and mixed-age classrooms with children encouraged to choose their own activities and learn at their own pace, “guided rather than instructed” by teachers.  

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