A ‘THRIVING’ new nursery in Bury has been given the go ahead to expand – but its neighbours say noise has been a nightmare since it first opened in 2016.

Bambinos nursery, which opened four years ago in Manchester Road, has been granted permission to create two new classrooms on the first floor.

The successful day care centre, which currently looks after 50 children, will now be able to take on 14 more children once the conversion is complete.

Its’ founder, a former primary school teacher, has said opening the nursery, which was rated “good with outstanding features" by education watchdog Ofsted in 2018, was a “dream come true”.

But James Lee-Horton, who lives next door, told the planning committee last week that noise from the nursery, which is open from 8am until 6pm on weekdays, can be heard in his household everyday.

He said: “On a daily basis, from seven in the morning, we’ve got children crying, young babies, we’ve got kids banging, running around, making all the usual noises that they make which is not a problem at a usual nursery, but it’s right at the side of a residential property – ours – and it does cause us a lot of problems.

“It’s not just an hour, it’s constant – all day long. And it upsets the routine of our daily life.”

Mr Lee-Horton also said the nursery has created parking problems in the area.

He added: “Our objections is not regarding Bambinos, but purely because it’s in the wrong location.

“Any other nursery in the area is not next to a residential property and we feel it’s just in the wrong place sadly and it does affect us on a daily basis."

Hayley Taggart, owner and manager of the nursery, claims the nursery has never received a noise complaint since opening in September 2016.

She also told the planning committee that the majority of parents and staff walk to the nursery, a few use public transport and only around five park cars.

The nursery has access to 15 parking spaces at the nearby Bury Sports Club, but on most days 10 are “completely” free, according to the business owner.

She said: “Four years ago, my dream was to open a small, family-run nursery in the local area where I’ve lived all my life. Having taught for many years as a primary school teacher, I wanted the opportunity to open a small, loving, caring, safe and stimulating nursery with outstanding education.

“This expansion will allow Bambinos to provide an educational service while also creating full time and part-time jobs for local residents.

“It’s essential that in these unprecedented times that local businesses are supported to enable them to develop and grow.”

Redvales councillor Tamoor Tariq told the committee said their decision would be a “balancing act” between the needs of the nursery and the neighbours.

He said: “I think this is news that should be celebrated that a local business is thriving and has the intention to expand.

“I think the extra places are needed in nursery, I feel they’ve done a really good job in complying with neighbours around them and it will just be an asset that will go from strength to strength in the heart of the Redvales ward.”