A nursery that suddenly closed could become a new dog day care centre.

A planning application has been submitted to Breckland Council for a proposed change of use from the former home of the Magic Tree Nursery in Dereham into a canine day care centre.

The building, found at 35 Yaxham Road, was home to the childcare facility until December.

Alpha Nurseries confirmed that the company was closing with immediate effect after a letter was sent to parents from managing director, Gerard Dooley, which said was “due to its financial position".

It closed all of its sites including in Dereham, Safe Hands Day Nursery in Diss and The Willows Day Nursery in Downham Market.

 

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Documents supporting the dog care application, say: “The facility will provide canine day care services to local people, in line with national and local licensing guidelines.

"We aim to provide services to a maximum of 20 dogs at any one time (subject to licensing).

“Noise pollution will be minimal and this will be managed via behavioural assessment during the customer application process, an "Environmental Enrichment Policy" providing adequate mental stimulation to animals in the facility and the avoidance of disruptive events, such as strict drop-off and collection times.

“Ultimately the building is situated in a non-residential area, backing onto a busy industrial estate and railway, and should cause no more disruption than either these or, the previous occupant and the current adjoining canine business.”

The plans also say there will be six parking spaces on site, and proposes to open Monday to Friday from 6am to 9pm, and weekends will be 9am to 5pm.

The nursery company was based in Ipswich and provided nursery and after-school childcare at 22 sites across seven counties.

To view the application, visit Breckland's planning portal and look up reference 3PL/2024/0214/F