CONCERNS have been raised about the impact a Rugby development might have on nursery children’s health and wellbeing.
The former Mahle Engine Systems office and workshop site in Coton Park is set to be demolished to make way for a new distribution centre and warehouse.
But a nearby nursery and a resident fear the demolition works in Central Park Drive will have a negative impact on the neighbourhood.
A spokesperson for Coton Park Day Nursery, which looks after children aged two to four, says they have ‘great concern’.
They added: “The children have a small garden area which is used almost all day. The children accessing the outdoors is a requirement we must adhere – not using this outdoor space daily isn’t an option.
“We do not have air conditioning within the building, so keeping the children indoors with no windows open will have a detrimental effect.
“We have many children with respiratory problems and we are concerned the dust and fumes from the site may impact their health.
“As much as I understand the reason for the proposed work, the children’s safety is paramount. It is not cost effective to close the setting and I also worry that the new plans could cause parents to reject us.”
Coton Park resident Mycroft Wardle, whose three-year-old son attends the nursery, says the demolition works could turn the Coton Park Recreation Ground – less than 40m from the site – into a ‘no-go zone’.
He said: “The development works will render the only nearby children’s play area inhospitable, causing significant harm to local children and families.
“The applicant has shown a complete disregard to the community regarding the harm they could be causing to children and residents.”
A spokesperson for developer Barjane said the vacant building represented a health and safety risk, and its demolition would protect the local community from risks arising from any ‘unwanted attention’ it attracts.
They said: “This work phase is scheduled to commence in August, and initially the programme prioritises site set-up and internal strip-out works – with no actual demolition taking place prior to September, thereby ensuring there will be no disruption during the school summer holidays.”
They added the demolition would involve ‘extensive dust and noise mitigation measures’ which would reduce any impact ‘to a minimum’.
The spokesperson added: “Barjane is an award-winning developer with a track record in sustainable development and is looking forward to investing in the Borough of Rugby through bringing economic activity back to a vacant and derelict site in the Central Park business hub.”
