Nurseries given the green light

Crookfur Pavilion will be demolished to make way for the nursery.

As part of a £24m investment, a family centre and nursery school will be developed at Crookfur Park in Newton Mearns, and an extension, to host nursery classes, will be added to Cross Arthurlie Primary in Barrhead.

More than 30 objections to the applications were received by the council but planning officers recommended it for approval.

An East Renfrewshire Council spokeswoman said:“We are pleased the plans for nurseries at Cross Arthurlie and Crookfur Pavilion were approved; both of which will contribute to support the almost doubling of free early learning and childcare provision.

An extension will be added to Cross Arthurlie Primary.

“The additional nursery class and family centre form part of a £24m investment, funded by the Scottish Government and the council, and will provide fantastic facilities to deliver this increased early years provision for all eligible children across East Renfrewshire by 2020.”

A report to councillors stated the main reason for the two nurseries was because “the Scottish Government has made a commitment to increase the provision of early learning and childcare by 2020 for children who are three or four years old, as well as for vulnerable children who are two years old”.

It said the council’s existing nursery provision is almost at full capacity.

Crookfur Pavilion will be demolished to make way for the nursery in Crookfur Park, which will take up to 120 pupils. Community changing rooms, a plant room and a cycle and pram shelter will also be built.

Objectors fear the new nursery will add to traffic in an already busy area and have a negative impact on the character of the park.

The extension at Cross Arthurlie Primary, which includes a playground area and a car park extension from 25 to 35 spaces, will take up to 60 pupils.

Opponents say the scheme could impact on pedestrian safety, lead to inappropriate on-street parking and disrupt nearby residents during construction. They also say the proposed car parking is inadequate and raised fears over anti-social behaviour and pollution from idling cars.