PLANS to turn a day nursery into a 13-bedroom hotel which sparked opposition have been refused by the council.

The application sought permission to turn Buttons & Bows Private Day Nursery on Hamilton Street, Atherton into a hotel.

The proposals, submitted by Impressed Laundry, were knocked back by planning officers.

They said the development "would result in the provision of substandard levels of parking within the site which would be exacerbated by its poor layout having a detrimental impact on highway safety".

The application had received objections, with a letter submitted by Atherleigh councillor Debra Wailes against the proposals.

In it Cllr Wailes said: "I have been contacted by and visited a considerable number of residents who have voiced their concerns to this proposed change of use.

She cited several reasons which made the plans "particularly contentious", and claimed there would be "a considerable and detrimental impact to the environment due to the number of vehicles without designated parking spaces".

The letter also said "there will be a social impact as there are 13 bedrooms with potentially 29 residents in a relatively small building" and that the "site is across the road from the local cenotaph which is an extremely valued, revered and well maintained feature in the community".

It also said "the proposed reception area and ‘family’ room is in very close proximity to the next door residents’ fence and house , therefore there will be noise disturbance night and day".

Planning officers refused the proposals.