A new nursery and forest school could be built on the car park of a former pub.

Tiddlywinks Nursery Group have this week submitted a planning application for a new private day nursery, an outdoor forest school and play area at the the former Roach Bank Inn site on Croft Lane in Hollins.

The majority of the application site once formed the car park and access to the pub, which closed in 2014 and has since been converted into a plastering training centre with residential accommodation.

A design and access statement published by the council, said: “The planning application seeks consent for the construction of a new two-storey private day nursery, together with an outdoor forest school and play area, access, associated infrastructure and landscaping.

“The proposal is supported by a total of 28 car parking spaces and a dedicated service area.

“It will provide an essential service in delivering childcare to enable parents and carers to go to work which in turn will support the local economy while providing valuable early years education for young children.

“It will regenerate a vacant site in need of investment and renewal.”

What the nursery could look like under the plans

What the nursery could look like under the plans

Planning permission was previously granted in 2017 for the redevelopment of the site for housing but this did not progress and the site remained vacant.

Tiddlywinks said the proposals would "improve the appearance of the site, create an attractive streetscape and would provide the applicant with the opportunity to deliver an exemplar nursery to serve the local area".

Tiddlywinks Day Nursery was founded in 1994 by husband and wife team, David and Imelda Mihell.

The vision started at the Hill Lane nursery, Blackley, their former home.

Over the years Tiddlywinks has expanded from their original 18 place nursery to the seven day nurseries, providing daily care for more than 700 children and five Tiddlywinks Out of School Clubs, providing daily care for over 185 children across north Greater Manchester.

They operate another nursery in the borough in Walmersley and their head office is on Manchester Road in Bury.

No specific number of jobs created are included in the plans but the applicant stated "the proposal will create jobs in a range of full and part time roles".

The council will now consider the application.