A Colchester nursery has put its bid to open a second branch on hold following objections from the authorities. 

Butterfly Barns, based in Old Heath Road, Colchester, submitted plans in July to open a new children's day centre in Ardleigh to tackle the “critical shortage of particularly specialist provision”. 

The plans attracted support from parents and Ardleigh Parish Council, with many seeing benefits in a second branch of the nursery. 

Butterfly Barns confirmed in the application that 22 families had signed up to securing potential spaces within just seven days, and there had been almost 350 enquiries by the time the application was submitted. 

Scott Geeson, who commented on the application, said: “I 100 per cent support Butterfly Barns in their journey to opening a second setting and I think the location and their vision is great.

"Not only do we need more nursery spaces in our area, we need more nursery spaces for children like my son with SEND because there just aren't enough nurseries around us that have the space, resources and staff with the passion and knowledge to care for children with additional needs.” 

The new nursery was designed to help address crucial shortages for special educational needs children in the area. 

But Place Services at Essex County Council has voiced concerns over the potential impact on roosting bats at the site, a European protected species. 

Essex Highways also criticised a lack of visibility splays on the access road, which "would result in an unacceptable degree of conflict, risk, and hazard to all road users”. 

A lack of access to public transport was also raised as grounds for objections. 

Following the criticism, the nursery owners have decided to withdraw their current application and re-apply with a revised scheme. 

In a letter to the planning committee at Tendring Council, Alpesh Patel, stated: “We will withdraw the planning application and resubmit with an application to highways first to seek consultation and a resolution to the access issue. 

“I fully accept that this does not unequivocally mean that the second issue of sustainability will be resolved, but as long as we all work with a common interest to try and solve the challenge, I’m sure we will get there.”