VILLAGERS near Winchester are continuing to press for changes to controversial plans for a children’s nursery.

The Egg Nursery is due to open in the new year in a former chapel in Stockbridge Road, Sutton Scotney.

Many local people are worried at potential traffic danger and the fact that via a loophole the change of use did not require planning permission.

Stefan Mieczkowski, one of the campaigners, said: “We welcome the nursery in principle but are worried about the impact in the vicinity.

“We don’t think the highways’ matters have been thought through. The nursery is due to open in January without these being resolved. Ultimately someone will be hurt.’’ He added that it was regrettable that there had been a lack of public consultation by the developer, as the scheme did not need planning permission.

The nursery owner Briony White wants to have up to 56 children a day which will be a more intensive use than when the building was a chapel used by a small number of worshippers on a Sunday.

Mr Mieczkowski added he hoped the county council would close the loophole so that in future such changes of use would have to go through planning.

He said the nursery would attract parents and children from far afield and so would arrive by car.

The local county councillor Jackie Porter said she was working with the council to mitigate the impact on local people: “The issue for me is that despite the narrowness of the road, there are a variety of different businesses in the road as well as residences: and previous studies have shown it unlikely that a road closure would be feasible.

“Residents are keen to explore ‘one-way’ options and a reduction in numbers at the nursery, but I must stress that I have always been keen to see better facilities for Sutton Scotney children in the village and this nursery should provide this.”

Mrs White was unavailable for comment.