PLANS for a new nursery in Low Moor have been criticised by a nearby primary school and other nurseries in the area.

The proposals for the 26-place nursery, which would be built on the corner of Hanworth Road and Common Road, off the major Huddersfield Road route between Odsal and Wyke, were lodged with Bradford Council last month.

But the plans have now come in for criticism over fears the local area could become saturated.

Headteacher Des Martin, writing on behalf of the governing body of Hill Top CE Primary School and its associated nursery, which is across the road from the application site, said: "We object to this proposal for a number of reasons.

"We already have a nursery as part of our provision. This is a 52-place nursery, offering 26 places in the morning and 26 places in the afternoon.

"Due to the increasing number of private nurseries and child-minding options within the locality, we have increasingly struggled to fill our nursery in the last two or three years despite external advertising, banners, newsletters and use of social media.

"This clearly is disappointing for us as there is a marked difference in the children who have been to our nursery in terms of their confidence, attitude and initial well-being when they start in our Reception Class compared to those children who have been in alternative settings."

He added: "We struggle to see why another private nursery is needed within this area, especially when you consider that Rainbow House Private Day Nursery, a nursery with whom we have a strong and effective relationship, and is also a matter of metres away from the proposed site, are also struggling to fill their places."

Concerns were also raised that another business could increase the likelihood of incidents happening at the "accident hotspot" at peak times of picking up and dropping off.

While Melanie Fearnley, a director at Fearnley Day Nursery, Belmont Avenue, Low Moor, said: "With all due respect there is really no need for another nursery in this small area of Bradford.

"I have spoken with another nursery in this area and they are not full to capacity. They also said there is another nursery in the same area who also is not full to capacity.

"We are also not full. If this is the case (which it is) there is not a need for another nursery to open in the Low Moor area."

While Geoff McMahon wrote: "This proposed nursery is to be built in close proximity to a very busy cross roads."

He said parking is limited, there are already undersubscribed nurseries and described the application as "unnecessary".