Plans have been submitted for a community play centre in Stevenage to become a children's nursery.

"Minor external works" would be carried out at Bandley Hill Play Centre, along with new access and a new car park.

New external doors would also be fitted to the building.

The plans have been submitted on behalf of Monkey Puzzle, which already operates nurseries throughout Hertfordshire and the UK.

The Comet: Existing and proposed elevations.Existing and proposed elevations. (Image: Firstplan / Monkey Puzzle / Stevenage Borough Council)

A total of 73 "much-needed" childcare spaces would be created, along with employment for 18 people.

Bandley Hill Play Centre was closed in spring 2023, as it was "no longer viable for the council to operate".

A planning statement attached to the application reads: "For over20 years Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries (Monkey Puzzle) have been working closely with parents, staff and Ofsted to deliver childcare of the highest quality, providing children with unlimited opportunities to learn, develop and grow within a safe, secure and caring environment...

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"...Overall, this site is an ideal opportunity to expand Monkey Puzzle’s operation into Stevenage and provide a high-quality childcare setting for the local community, which is clearly in demand."

No comments or objections have been made to the application, which can be viewed using reference 23/00943/FP on the Stevenage Planning Portal.

A previous application for the site to be used by a Greenside School was withdrawn earlier this year.

The Comet: Existing and proposed elevations.Existing and proposed elevations. (Image: Firstplan / Monkey Puzzle / Stevenage Borough Council)