PLANNING chiefs are to take a closer look at an application for a children's day nursery in Fishburn.

An application for the conversion of a four-bedroomed detached house, at West End in the village, to a 35-place children's day nursery has been received by Sedgefield Borough Council.

The proposal is for the dining room to become a baby unit and the lounge to become a playroom. Three large bedrooms would also be converted into playrooms, a smaller bedroom would be the staff room and the bathroom converted to toilets.

The applicant, Christine Kellett, of Spennymoor, said eight jobs would be created as a result of the development.

In a supporting letter to the council she said Fishburn has been identified as disadvantaged where nursery provision is concerned, which would give her access to financial assistance.

The application was heard by the council's development control committee, which heard there had been concerns raised about traffic.

The county engineer said he reckoned there would be more than 50 trips a day to the nursery by parents dropping off and collecting their children.

Although there is a small parking area the engineer said there is poor visibility on the nearby junction, which is made worse by parked cars.

He said: "Due to the visibility problem, which could be exacerbated if parents park on the main road, and the number of cars which would be attracted to the site during peak periods, I am reluctantly objecting to this application."

Planning officers endorsed this view and recommended the application be refused.

Committee members, who recognised the need for a nursery in Fishburn, decided to visit the site and deferred a decision until then.