Nursery Move to Skelton Pub Faces Parking Concern Objections

A nursery wants to move to a vacant pub, a request which council members have approved. Little Acorns, currently located on High Street, requires more space and plans to relocate to the Royal George. The Royal George is situated on North Terrace, in Skelton.

Some local residents worry about potential parking issues in the area, especially since the pub closed in January 2024, despite a renovation in 2022. Ursula Earl, a local councillor who lives nearby, said parking is already limited.

Earl also expressed concerns regarding road safety for families, as the A173 road is quite busy. David Henry, another resident, shares these parking concerns, noting that the High Street nursery currently has more parking options, including street parking and a dedicated car park.

The nursery is required to create a traffic plan, which includes a “drop off and pick up” strategy that needs approval. Councillor Philip Thomson also wants a staff travel plan. Furthermore, the council requires the nursery to specify the number of parking spots needed and where cars will park, and a council member suggested that some children should walk.

Neil Colver, representing Skelton Farming Limited, which owns the Royal George building, said the nursery needs a bigger location and offers a student collection service.

Colver stated that while the move isn’t definite yet, they are hoping to finalize it soon. He also mentioned that two parties considered reopening the site as a pub, but both attempts failed. Colver believes a nursery is a suitable option for the empty building, predicting decreased noise and disruption, as the nursery would host 35 children, staffed by six employees.

The council stated that car parking wouldn’t worsen significantly and that traffic levels should remain relatively constant. Because the area is a conservation zone, the building’s exterior will remain unchanged, and noise management plans will be implemented.

The back beer area is slated to become a play area, accommodating 15 children at a time, with playtime scheduled daily from 9 AM to 4 PM. Stuart Smith sees it as positive reuse of the building and believes the parking concerns are based on speculation.

Vera Rider thinks parking will be quick and easy, emphasizing the need for childcare spaces to enable mothers to work. Ultimately, the council approved the plan unanimously.