Objections Raised over Nursery Closure Consultation

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 3rd Aug 2007

A consultation process to determine the future of two nurseries in Norwich has come under fire from parents and campaigners. Thorpe Hamlet's 'Starting Out' nursery on Wolfe Road, and the 'Woodside One' nursery at Heartsease, are the subject of a consultation which includes two options: both of which involve closing one of the nurseries.

Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, has written to Norfolk County Council (copied below) to express a number of concerns over the consultation:

"I have asked the County Council to respond to a number of points," says Mr Wright.

"The assumption is made by the Council that if one of the nurseries is closed, then the demand for places will simply transfer to the surviving nursery. Speaking to parents in Thorpe Hamlet proves that this is a false assumption, for a number of reasons."

"The consultation does not look adequately at road safety or transportation issues. The walk between the two nurseries, which takes around forty minutes, involves crossing a number of busy roads. Comments are made in the consultation about local parking provision, but I've been contacted by parents in Thorpe Hamlet who do not have access to a car during the day. There is also the issue of added pollution and congestion on already busy roads."

"The key fault with the document, though, is that it does discuss adequately the option of retaining both nurseries, and giving each one a longer opportunity to develop their own business plans. The Thorpe Hamlet nursery could possibly be expanded to provide places for those parents who are currently on a waiting list."

"The County Council should delay its decision on the future of the nurseries, and take into account the points that are being made by the local community."

The consultation documents are available from Norfolk County Council online at www.norfolk.gov.uk/childcare, and the closing date for responses is 30 August.