Proposals to turn the redundant, disused Underwood chapel into a day nursery have divided the community living around it, with views polarised for and against.
A planning application has been submitted by Adam Jensen for a change of use of the old Underwood Chapel where the current planning consent is for a place of worship.
In his change of use application for the Underwood chapel building which has been disused for a number of years Mr Jensen says:
“Plymouth City Council are not currently meeting their Childcare Sufficiency Duty in the area and so this would go some way to addressing this issue.”
The main concern with local residents is with the extra traffic in Underwood Road and associated parking problems which are expected. One of those against the proposal remarked:
“There’s absolutely nowhere near enough parking on Underwood Road. So much so that many Underwood residents park in Copse Road causing knock-on parking problems for Copse Road residents. This development would make the current situation even more untenable.”
They added:
“It wouldn’t provide a safe environment for the loading and unloading of babies and children into cars. The road is very narrow and cars get damaged on a regular basis already. Whilst I recognise the need for more nursery spaces, the location of this building is totally unsuitable.”
However, on the other side of the argument a resident who has lived in Underwood Road for 14 years said:
“That poor chapel has been left to nothing and I for one am so glad it is finally being put to good use. Yes, there is a parking issue, but does that mean everything has to stop because we’re too afraid to lose our unofficial parking spaces? No. I look forward to welcoming the new nursery as our new neighbours.”
Another supporter of the nursery said:
“I have lived in Plympton for 30 years and one of the biggest struggles in the area is lack of childcare places. I have a grandson and granddaughter who are both in need of a nursery and cannot get one anywhere close to where we live.
“Parents who want this nursery to go ahead will be more than happy to park in other areas and walk because that is much better than having to travel across the city just to get to a nursery. I hope this nursery goes ahead for the sake of local parents who are facing the same issues as my grandchildren.”
A number opposed to the application are skeptical that parents and carers using the nursery will actually walk to and from it and even for those that do one objector has pointed out that the narrow nature of the pavements and obstructions on them often lead to people with buggies and prams having to move out onto the road to pass them.
The transport statement submitted with the application suggests that a two hour staggered arrival window and five hour departure window plus car pooling for staff will act as mitigating features to any traffic and parking impact on nearby residents.
The document concludes:
“The transition to a nursery will create a predictable, low-traffic environment that integrates well with the surrounding residential area.”
The planning application has been called in for a full debate before the planning committee. The deadline for public comments for or against the application, which is numbered 24/01199/FUL, is October 22 2024. Comments can be e-mailed to planningconsents@plymouth.gov.uk and the full application documents can be read on the planning section of plymouth.gov.uk
(story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)
