Parents fear for Cambridge nursery’s future
Parents of children attending a nursery run by Queens’ College have been shocked to hear it could be knocked down as part of a redevelopment of student housing.
The planning application, which is out for consultation until June 21, proposes 60 rooms for postgraduate students across the four blocks, and the demolition of the University of Cambridge college’s Owlstone Croft Nursery, which was built in 2015 and for up to 25 children between the ages of three months and four years.
The application pledges that demolition of the nursery building, which is well used by fellows and staff, will not take place until a replacement facility is operational. However, parents say they have not been notified about the proposals and are shocked that the relatively new facility could be demolished.
Nasheed Qamar Faruqui, whose son attends the nursery, says: “I saw plans displayed on a noticeboard in Newnham and was really surprised so I asked the manager at the nursery what was happening but she didn’t know anything about it either. We have nothing directly from Queens’ and I feel a bit frustrated about it.
“It would be a massive disruption for my son if we have to move him but it also seems a bizarre idea to knock down a brand new building in the middle of a financial crisis and a climate emergency. It’s such a waste.
“We are exploring other options now, so we’re less committed to the nursery. And that of course affects how we deal with them and how they deal with us. And while the uncertainty is bad for us, it is huge for staff whose livelihoods depend on it. They could have at least been transparent and informed us of what their plan is.
“I’m also worried about the effect such a tall building will have on the next door Paradise Nature Reserve, which is a lovely spot where I walk with my son every day.”
The petition opposing the application was started by Friends of Paradise Nature Reserve, and had 1,100 signatures at the time of writing.
A spokesperson for Queens’ College said: “Queens’ is fully committed to re-providing the nursery provision, either within the current college estate or a nearby location.
“Further detail will be provided to staff and others as plans are developed and confirmed. The college is working alongside the existing external nursery provider to ensure the new facility will be of equal quality and size, ensuring staff are retained and parents are able to move. The current master plans for the Owlstone Croft site can be found on our dedicated website at owlstonecroft.co.uk.”
