Planning Application
PL/26/0138

This is a petition against the proposed re-development of the Hemdean House School site, that will force closure of vital and well-loved children's nursery.

The Caversham community has recently been made aware of the planning application notice for the Hemdean House School site and lodge.

The notice invites residents to make representations on Churchill Living's proposals to redevelop the Hemdean House School site.

The developer's website still, on 2nd April, describes the Hemdean House School site as being vacant four times, despite the fact it is not. 

The literature describes plans to redevelop the entire site. It plans to make the pre-school part of Playday nursery, the lodge, enjoyed by 20 children currently, a 2-bed cottage. See https://churchill-caversham.co.uk/

Playday nursery's current lease expires towards the end of this year, although having been an established part of the community for eight years, its owners want to be able to stay on the current terms, or similar terms, to which they have currently.

Playday provide a vital community service, operating year-round, 7.30am to 6.30pm, looking after as many as 50 children in total aged between 3 months and 5 years.

Many local children attend this wonderful nursery. Playday is not just a childcare facility; it is a second home where local children have thrived, learned, and developed essential early-life skills. . 

The proposals come at a time of significant shortage of nursery places for our young people. Playday provide a vital community service.

We urge Churchill Living and the Local Authority, Reading Borough Council, to ensure that no nursery places are lost as a result of the re-development.

Adding your name and details to this petition will show Churchill Living that you do not support the proposals, which would force the closure of Playday. Further, it will ensure that Reading Borough Council understand the importance the community place on this vital childcare service.