A NURSERY situated in a historic building can finally get an outdoor play area after getting the green light from Wigan Council, despite objectors bidding to stop it.

Woodland Adventure Nursery in Tyldesley can now install a 1.2m high fence and soft play surfacing to form an enclosed play area. As the site is based within Dam House, which was built by Adam Mort and Margaret Mort in 1650, the nursery required both listed building consent and planning permission before construction could start.

Dam House is a Grade II* listed building which contains offices, and a café as well as Woodland Adventure Nursery.

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Permission granted despite objections

The Planning Committee gathered on March 14 at Wigan Town Hall to discuss this application after 11 objections were submitted relating to potential noise, risk of antisocial behaviour and fear of dangerous traffic problems could come as a result of this new play area.

Committee members found no reason the play area proposal should be rejected and even praised the idea. Currently the site on Astley Hall Drive can only use the surrounding woodland and grassland as outdoor space for the tots – not ideal for wet weather, the meeting heard.

'A beautiful place'

Coun Susan Greensmith said: “Many people do visit the area regularly. It is a beautiful place.

“I think seeing children playing outside there is even more beautiful. The environment we are giving them is a lovely place for children to be.”

Coun John Harding added: “It is a lovely environment for wildlife. Some of the wording we’ve heard, particularly in the objections, is irrelevant. 

“This soft play could give them a more secure area to play rather than the grass and the woods around there – this negates the noise issue for me.”

Objections dismissed

Janette Johnson, who appeared at the meeting to speak against the proposal, claimed that parking was an issue during drop off times, and that drivers have had to “drive on pavements to avoid other vehicles”.

She added that there was concern over added noise as well as potential for antisocial behaviour in regard to the new play area section.

Her arguments were dismissed by the committee who did not believe a play area would impact on parking capacity or create any extra noise than there already is.