Middlewich after school club approved after planning row (From Middlewich Guardian)

Middlewich after school club approved after planning row

10:15am Monday 21st November 2011 in News By David Morgan

AN after school club in Middlewich which opened without planning permission has now been given the green light by the council.

Gaynor Bonwick, manager of Leaps and Bounds Nursery, says she is relieved that her portable building at Biskey Howe, Booth Lane, has been approved.

The 48-year-old told the Guardian that she did not follow the normal planning process as it could have ‘ruined the business’.

“It was a purely financial decision,” she said.

“We got a business loan from HSBC and we had to take them up on it. It was extremely difficult.

“We had to go through flamed hoops to get that loan and to be stopped by not having planning permission could have ruined the business.

“It was to make sure my business was safe.”

The mum-of-one picks up youngsters from five different schools for the club.

Gaynor added: “The after school club is actually full on three evenings a week so if planning permission hadn’t been granted there would have been a big childcare issue in Middlewich.

“It would have had a big impact on the community and the business as well.”