A LONG-RUNNING battle to build a children's nursery on an industrial estate looks set to reach a conclusion next week.

Despite fears from local councillors that a business park is the wrong location for a nursery, Looby Lou's Day Nursery is about to expand in Northallerton.

The nursery is based in Swain Court, but bosses have submitted plans to Hambleton District Council, seeking permission to relocate to Finkills Way, off Yafforth Road.

The application is for a building which could cater for up to 96 children, as well as providing 14 full-time and at least six part-time jobs.

Nearly 250 letters of support for the move have been sent to the district council, with supporters saying the nursery provides an excellent service.

Supporters have also argued that it would benefit local businesses, whose employees' children could attend.

However, the town council had expressed concerns about the safety of youngsters, especially with the potential danger of increased volumes of traffic in the area.

But district council chiefs say they are now content that the project should go ahead and are urging members of the development control committee to approve it on Thursday.

Planning officer Helen Laws, who is dealing with the case, said: "The environment for a children's nursery is obviously not ideal when surrounded by other commercial uses.

"As an alternative, however, a residential area is also not ideal, due usually to a lack of space for play and parking, and the noise implications that may arise.

"The proposed site has space for parking, away from the main estate road, although shared with the other approved industrial units. It is not felt that this is any more inappropriate than a residential street."

A total of 23 parking spaces are proposed, which the highways authority has suggested leaves a shortfall of ten.

Further information from Looby Lou's has been requested.

A decision will be made on Thursday, when the committee meets at the Stone Cross Civic Centre, in Northallerton.