Nursery in office plans

AN A-LISTED office in the New Town is to be turned into a nursery.

The Early Days Nursery has submitted plans for the change of use for the office at 57 Melville Street.

The office, which has been used as the headquarters of the Royal Town Planning Institute in Scotland, is a former townhouse designed by Robert Brown and built in 1825.

Council planning officials have recommended that the proposals get the green light, although councillors were set to make a final decision today.

John Bury, head of planning at the council, said: "There is a high demand for nursery places in this locality, plenty of metered parking available for parents picking up and dropping off children, and the location is suitable for many to arrive on foot."