An application has been submitted to turn three classrooms of the former Hamptons Day Nursery, located on 21 Howard Close, into residential dwellings.

The application proposes a "Change of use of 3 rooms from day nursery (Class E (F)) to residential (Class C3) within existing dwellinghouse".

The application site is a two-storey detached dwelling at the junction of Ormond Drive and Howard Close. The site is located within the Gloucester Road and The Ormonds Village Character Area. 

The application says: "On 2nd August 2001, planning consent 01/1270/FUL was granted for the proposed change of use – residential to part nursery.

"This consent allowed up to 16 children to attend the nursery as 'day attendees' between the hours of 8am – 6pm. 

"The nursery ceased operation in 2022. When Use Class E (F) ceased, the attendees were moved to Molesey Day Nursery in Kingston, which is also owned by the applicant."

The closure of the nursery came despite a "Good" Ofsted report in April 2018.

The current applicant wishes "to change the use of 3 rooms (living and utility rooms, as shown below) from Class E (F) to Class C3 (Residential) to enable the sale of the property. No external changes are required to accommodate the change of use."

The proposed dloor site (Credit: Michael burroughs associates / Planning Application via Richmond Council)

Richmond Council is yet to make a decision.

Full details of the application can be found here.