Plans approved for new childcare centre
Lewes District Council has approved plans for a new 100-place Nursery and Preschool building, to be located in the south-east corner of campus (within the Lewes District boundary).
The planning approval, granted on 27 June, means that construction of the new childcare centre can start over summer 2012.
When it is finished in summer 2013, the building will bring together in one location the Nursery (for babies and toddlers aged four months to three years) and Preschool (for three- to five-year-olds), which are currently based on separate sites in Norwich House and Silverstone respectively.
Childcare staff and parents had input to the design and advice was sought from Brighton and Hove City Council’s Early Years team and by visits to other centres.
The childcare service in the new building will be run by the Co-operative Childcare, part of Midcounties Co-operative, under an agreement with the University that can be finalised now that planning consent has been granted.
Charles Dudley, the Director of Residential, Sport and Trading Services, said: “We really are delighted that Lewes District Council has approved the plans and we are therefore in a position to conclude the agreement with the Midcounties Co-operative.
”This agreement ensures the future of childcare on campus, in a purpose-designed building, without ongoing subsidy by the University.
Mike Abbott, Group Manager for the Co-operative Childcare, added: “We are delighted to have reached this important milestone and now look forward to working with the University in the build-up to the opening of this new, exciting venture.”