Policy COM2: Early Years Provision
Policy COM2: Early Years Provision
Proposals to retain and improve the early years provision facility, as shown on the Policies Map, will be supported, provided appropriate parking and drop-off/collection provision for motorised and non-motorised users is accommodated.
View Horsford early years provision facilities on the Policy Map
- The pre-school in Horsford closed in 2020 due to funding issues, however a new facility was opened in June 2024 at the Holt Road Infant School called the Horsford & St Faiths Pre-School – Community Nursery. A small minority of those who responded to this project’s consultation indicated a desire for such a service and NCC, as the education authority, has confirmed that additional development is likely to add additional pressure on existing early years provision.
- The policy is intended to protect the only early years provision use in the Parish from unnecessary loss. It provides an important service to the community meaning that fewer car trips are necessary to larger settlements beyond the Parish. It is also considered that government plans for 30hrs free childcare from 9 months to start of school from September 2025 is likely to increase the demand for this service. The policy therefore also supports improvements to this facility provided that any scheme which is put forward can demonstrate that it can make appropriate provision for motorised and non-motorised users of the site in accordance with the overall aim of the Horsford Transport Masterplan.
- As per paragraph 5.14 above, a standalone nursery/creche falls within a use class titled Class E and subcategory (f) Permitted development rights allow for the change of use of Class E premises to a residential use without the need to apply for planning permission. The submission of an application titled ‘prior approval’ is still however required to be made to BDC. BDC is required to consider the impact of the loss of early years provision in determining a ‘prior approval’ application amongst other matters. Although the policy here will not be engaged in that determination (as it is not on the list of considerations in a ‘prior approval’ application), the policy demonstrates that this service plays an important role in providing important early years’ service provision to the community of Horsford and could therefore be a legitimate reason for refusing ‘prior approval’ for proposals that will harm this provision.
- The Parish Council also hopes that BDC will consider an Article 4 Direction to protect Class E (f) uses in Horsford. An Article 4 Direction can remove permitted development rights in areas or from specific premises to enable changes to remain in planning control so that their effect can continue to be properly assessed. This is noted here so that the Parish Council can signal its intent to the community to submit a formal request to BDC for this following a successful referendum of this Neighbourhood Plan Refresh.
- The policy complements Broadland Development Management DPD Policy CSU1 which supports the improvement of the range of community facilities and local services, and its provisions will continue to apply alongside the provisions of this policy, until such a time that it is replaced, either by national development management policies, or a future review of the DPD and/or this Neighbourhood Plan.