A FORMER pub is to be converted into a children’s day nursery after plans were approved by Bradford Council.

The Prospect Hotel in Stone Hall Road, Eccleshill, will become the seventh pub in Bradford to be transformed into a Kinder Haven nursery.

The £1 million investment will create 22 to 24 new jobs and 112 childcare places.

The former pub, which has been on and off the market for the past four years, will be renovated, with extensions to the side and rear of the property.

Windows will also be replaced and coloured panels fitted to brighten the appearance of the building, and there will be a play area to the rear surrounded by tall fencing.

Danielle Dixon opened her first Kinder Haven nursery in 2001, and has since opened six more in Bradford and Leeds.

She said: “We are absolutely delighted to be granted permission.

“It did take a while to get the design right and meet the Council requirements. There were a few protected trees so we ensured the extension was away from them and was aesthetically pleasing.

“We are hoping to start work within the next four to six weeks and it is going to cost about £1 million, with the site being completed in autumn or winter this year.

“I think it will be really good for the area, renovating a derelict pub and the design of nice colours and features will enhance the area.

“It will also create employment and we have quite a lot of parents in the Eccleshill area who will benefit from more childcare.”

In his report, planning officer Matthew Aveyard said the colourful facade of the new porch would give the property “a unique character which will complement the nursery use”.

He also commented on concerns regarding noise and general disturbance from comings and goings.

He said: “The former use as a pub would have seen a steady amount of comings and goings, and while this may have been more gradual through the day and evening it would nonetheless have had a noticeable impact for nearby residents.

“The nursery use may have peaks times but again children can be dropped off and picked up throughout the day therefore there is no clear justification that the proposed use would be anymore harmful in this regard.”

Kinder Haven’s newest nursery is opening on Monday, April 24, on the site of the old Three Fiddlers pub in Pasture Lane, Clayton. There will be an open day at the nursery from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday, May 6.

Councillor Brendan Stubbs (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said: “It will be very helpful to have more childcare places in the area, especially for people entitled to free childcare.

“It is always a shame to lose a public building, but I would rather see it used as something such as a nursery rather than standing derelict. It has looked lonely at the bottom of the road for the past few years.

“Having vibrant businesses will have a big impact on our village economy, and I am happy to welcome this new member of our community.”