D23A/0007

The proposed development would result in a large residential scheme lacking essential childcare facilities, which is contrary to development plan policies and would negatively impact the residential amenity of both the development and the surrounding area.

• The applicant failed to sufficiently demonstrate a lack of local demographic or geographical need for the childcare facility, with the submitted demand assessment found to be based on outdated or problematic data sets.
• The existing childcare capacity in the 1.5km study area is nearly full (96% occupancy), indicating that the local market cannot absorb the additional demand that the Fernbank development generates.
• The claim of commercial unviability was not supported by a sufficiently robust marketing campaign or evidence that the unit's size precludes a viable childcare operation, especially when compared to other active smaller facilities in the area.