PLANS to open a children's day care centre in a picturesque part of Newquay have been refused following fears the children will be too noisy.

Cornwall Council has rejected a planning application for a change of use of a domestic garage and rear garden as a small early year's nursery and pre-school setting at Rivers Edge in Gannel Road due to concerns the scheme would result in significant adverse noise impacts on neighbours.

The plans aimed to establish a small-scale early years childcare setting for a maximum of 12 children aged between three and five years whilst retaining the dwelling as a private residence.

The planning statement said: “The proposal makes efficient use of an existing residential property without significant external alteration and will provide additional childcare provision within the local community.

“The proposal comprises conversion of the existing integral garage into accommodation associated with the nursery. Continued occupation of the property as a private dwelling. Mixed residential and children's day care use.

“The proposal has been carefully designed to protect neighbouring residential amenity through its modest scale, managed operation and limited outdoor activity.

“Outdoor learning will take place during three supervised one-hour sessions each day, with a maximum of three hours of outdoor use. Outdoor activities will occur only during normal weekday operating hours. No amplified music or external loudspeakers will be used.

“Drop-off and collection arrangements will be managed to minimise congestion.”

But Newquay Town Council’s planning committee objected to the plans despite the assurances given due to the “potential” for neighbouring properties to experience varying levels of unwanted noise from the use of the outdoor space.

The committee said: “Councillors recognise the value in adding to the supply of early years nursery and pre-school facilities across the town. However, the proposed location seems inappropriate for such an endeavour.

“A key concern is the potential for neighbouring properties to experience varying levels of unwanted noise resulting from the use of the outdoor space. The residential amenity of homes along Pengannel Close being the most likely to be impacted, along with the adjacent properties.”

A Cornwall Council planning officer concluded: “The applicant has highlighted the importance of maximising the opportunity for outdoor learning to the development of children and this is an important factor that weighs in favour of the proposal.

“Notwithstanding the above benefits, it is considered that the location in a residential area of Newquay is inappropriate for the proposed nursery. The proposed use would result in increased levels of noise arising from the activity in the rear residential garden.

“The site is bordered by residential properties to the north, west and east and the outdoor educational activities will result in levels of noise that would be audible from surrounding gardens and dwellings.

“The proposed change of use of the garage to a nursery and associated use of the garden for outdoor learning will result in significant adverse noise impacts on the residential amenity of the nearby residential dwellings.”