Agenda item - BH2022/02281 - St Marys Church, Surrenden Road, Brighton - Full Planning

1.    The Planning Manager introduced the application to the committee.

Speakers

2.    Ward Councillor Neild addressed the committee and stated that there was a need for nurseries in Preston Park and the application fulfils local needs. It was noted that this is an independent and not a chain nursery, has a large garden and not all children have outdoor space at home. It was noted the neighbours have objected on noise grounds but it was noted that there will be 20/30 children and they will not be outside at the same time, or outside all day. The councillor considered a huge amount of work had been done by the applicants and requested that the committee support the application.

3.    Camille Kumar addressed the committee as a resident. The Democratic Services officer read out the following: I am a parent of a child registered at Little Shoes Nursery. I am also Brighton and Hove City Council’s first anti-racist education lead. I speak in full support of this application. Little Shoes nursery is a unique provision. My wife and I visited six nurseries before we found Little Shoes. While each nursery had something valuable to offer, we were repeatedly let down by nursery managers being unable to demonstrate their commitments to challenging gender stereotypes, to LGBT+ inclusion and anti-racism. By contrast, on our visit to Little Shoes both myself and my wife felt immediately comfortable and welcome. As a queer mixed heritage family, it is especially important to us that our son is in a nursery community where his identity and the identity of his family is accepted and celebrated in all its fullness. We are all too aware from our own experiences of education. The strong commitment to belonging and ethos of inclusivity and diversity at Little Shoes creates an atmosphere that welcomes and celebrates difference. Little Shoes offer a rich global citizenship education that prepares children for the modern world and enriches their education with linguistic and cultural diversity. I urge you to consider Little Shoes invaluable contribution to the anti-racist pledge of the city as you make your decision.

4.    Sven Rufus addressed the committee as agent and stated that the change of use has been agreed by other council departments. The noise from the garden will not be all the time with a maximum of 15 supervised children at any time for 2 to 3 hours. A hedge will also protect the neighbours from noise. The report recommends a noise plan which can be reviewed. The committee were requested to support the application.

Answers to Committee Member Questions

5.    Councillor Moonan was informed that the operator of the nursery was not a planning matter, and that the planning permission went with the land.

6.    Councillor Childs was informed that the child care use had been ongoing since 2017.

Debate

7.    Councillor Theobald considered it was good to be inclusive, a good use of the site and was much needed in the area.

Vote

8.    A vote was taken, and the committee agreed the officer recommendation unanimously. (Councillor Shanks took not part in the vote or the decision making process).

9.    RESOLVED: That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves to GRANT planning permission subject to the Conditions and Informatives in the report.