NJL Consulting’s Manchester office has submitted plans for a new children’s day nursery to Preston City Council which will provide around 200 much needed places for local children.

Acting as retained planners on behalf of Ashbridge School, NJL Consulting has prepared and submitted the full planning application for the proposed day nursery site at Maxy House Farm just off Sandy Lane, north west of Preston.

There is a recognised need for additional places in this area, due to the increased housing, subsequent population increase, and indeed the Government’s manifesto pledge to increase entitlement to all 3 and 4 year olds to 30 free hours per week from September 2017. As a result of this increased need for places, Lancashire County Council Early Years Forum has put forward this scheme as one of their 6 schemes for a capital funding grant to assist them in meeting their statutory obligation to make places available.

Katie Delaney, an Associate Director at NJL Consulting, said: “The new nursery fits perfectly into the North West Preston Masterplan which seeks to build over 5,000 new homes in the area. The nursey will be ideally located in the planned local centre creating easy access for parents and will also bring the Ashbridge reputation for providing high quality childcare to north west Preston.”

Sarah Carr OBE, chair of the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and Director of Ashbridge School, added: “We are keen to ensure that the proposed nursery school comes forward with the support of the community, in light of the fact that this will be a key facility for the future residents of the area.

Ashbridge has an established reputation through our existing schools across the Preston area and we look forward to providing the same quality service at Sandy Lane”.