Nursery places created just in the nick of time
PORTISHEAD's former police station could be turned into a children's nursery.
Plans have been submitted to turn the station at South Avenue, which closed earlier this year, into a day nursery for up to 60 youngsters.
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The old Portishead police station
The plans have been put forward by the owner of the town's Lake House Nursery, Zoe Parsons.
Ms Parsons, 36, opened Lake House nursery at Beach Road West in January 2011 and has seen it go from strength to strength and it is now at capacity.
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The nursery, which overlooks the Lake Grounds, cares for 60 youngsters and employs 26 staff.
Ms Parsons said she hoped the new nursery, which she aims to open next April or May, would provide much needed places for youngsters in the town.
She said: "We are at full capacity at Lake House. We are having to turn people away and have a waiting list of around 30 people.
"There is a shortage of early years places in Portishead and we are hoping by opening our second nursery it will help bridge the gap."
If planning permission is granted Ms Parsons plans to spend around £100,000 on refurbishing and remodelling the police station.
A new kitchen and toilets will be installed along with a number of play rooms and work to upgrade the garden areas will also be carried out.
The work is expected to take around three months to complete.
The nursery will open from between 7.30am and 6.30pm five days a week and create around 16 new jobs.
Ms Parsons added: "The police station has always been part of the community. Using it as a nursery will mean the building is continuing to serve the local community.
"It is an ideal building because there is good access, gardens and parking. It is also close to all the local facilities so the children will be able to walk to the marina, sports centre and library."
Police chiefs revealed earlier this year the station was to be put up for sale following a review of stations across the district.
The neighbourhood policing team of five police officers, seven community support officers and one sergeant, have now relocated to headquarters at Valley Road.
North Somerset Council has agreed to let local officers use a spare office at the library at Horatio House as a drop in to hold beat surgeries.
The office, which has its own entrance, will also be used as a base for officers on duty during the day.
Police chiefs say the move out of the town centre will not affect the service provided.
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