PARENTS working on Martlesham Heath industrial estate could soon be nearer to their children if a new nursery is given the go-ahead.Up to 90 children would be catered for in the single-storey building that is being planned for the site in Barrack Square.

By Jessica Nicholls

PARENTS working on Martlesham Heath industrial estate could soon be nearer to their children if a new nursery is given the go-ahead.

Up to 90 children would be catered for in the single-storey building that is being planned for the site in Barrack Square.

But there are worries that the nursery, which would have 22 full time staff and additional part timers, could cause even more traffic headaches than already exist there.

During rush hour, the A12 that leads to the industrial estate and BT's Adastral Park often becomes gridlocked.

More and more offices are being planned for the industrial estate and Suffolk Coastal District Council has launched a 10-year-plan to turn Adastral Park into a research park similar to that at Cambridge.

It is with that in mind that residents and councillors from Martlesham and Kesgrave have been pressing for something to be done about the amount of traffic using that stretch of the A12.

The Highways Authority is concerned that the original proposed layout of the car parking at the nursery, which is for 15 cars, would cause severe congestion when children are picked up or dropped off.

However some changes have now been made to the proposal in the light of that.

Martlesham parish council is opposing the idea on the grounds that no provisions have been made for cyclists.

No formal traffic study has been completed yet but the council is concerned that the nursery will exacerbate current traffic problems.

But planning officers are recommending approval for the venture because it would be useful for employees in the area as well as residents on the neighbouring estate.

However the plans would only be approved if certain conditions were met such as cycle parking and relating to access, hours and landscaping.

The plans will be discussed at a meeting of Suffolk Coastal's south area development sub committee on Thursday.