PLANS for a new pre-school in Sherston have been approved.

A planning application for a new pre-school adjacent to the scout hut on the recreation ground was approved with conditions by Wiltshire Council on Monday.

It will be run by Pumpkins nursery, who currently have nurseries in Badminton and Tormarton.

Sherston Parish Council has an emerging Neighbourhood Plan which will shortly be going to a local referendum and the provision of a pre-school is a part of this blueprint.

The council submitted the application in February and hopes to have the nursery up and running in September this year.

A spokesman for the council said: “After a long drawn out process, we are extremely excited to announce that we have received planning permission to build the new Sherston Preschool, adjacent to the scout hut.

“Building is set to commence on July 15 and last approximately 2 months.”

Sherston is currently without a nursery after Noah’s Ark in Tetbury Road closed its doors in September after 24 years.

It is thought that the pre-school will provide four full-time jobs and four part-time jobs.

It will be a purpose built facility offering early years education for children aged from two to five years old.

It will aim to act as a feeder nursery for Sherston Primary School.

The local Scouts will also benefit, with additional space for the groups to use when the school is not open.

Sherston Parish Council vice chairman Cllr Phil Cutcher said: “We’re highly delighted it is going ahead and we feel it is a great benefit to the village.

“We’re really positive that this is going to be a great asset for the village.

“Both in terms of preschool provision and for supporting the primary school by providing wraparound care for its children.”

Residents were also delighted to hear of the news.

Pat Smith said: “It’s a huge relief that, after an unfortunate gap, there will once again be a pre-school in Sherston. So important.”

Ffion Hibbard added: “Wonderful news, a much needed facility for our village.”

Camilla Lombard said: “It is fantastic news - numbers have been falling in the school since the old pre-school closed. A new pre-school and wrap around care are a positive step towards getting the numbers back up. As government funding is based on the number of pupils, for the future of the school this is what is needed."

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Plans announced for new pre-school in village