01:15PM, Wednesday 25 March 2026
Plans to turn a former motorcycle showroom into a children’s nursery have been withdrawn and the provider involved has decided to look elsewhere due to ‘continued uncertainty’ over the decision date.
The Bahnstormer BMW motorcycle dealership in Furze Platt Road, Maidenhead, closed down in 2024 and, since then, the building has been left vacant.
In September last year, Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries put forward an application to the Royal Bourgh to turn it into a children’s nursery.
The childcare franchise also runs a nursery in Grenfell Road as well as multiple sites across England.
No major external changes were proposed but one of the previous hardstanding areas to the back of the building would have been turned into an outdoor play area.
To the front of the proposed nursery, a second hardstanding area would have been retained and used for parking with seven parking spaces.
A garden with landscaping and flowers was also included in the plans as a ‘key part of the sensory learning experience’ offered for the children.
Approximately 25 staff members and 90 children would have been welcomed at the new nursery.
Application documents said: “[After] examining current nurseries in the area and the availability of places it is clear there is demand for increased provision in the area.”
But multiple objections were submitted against the plans, with concerns over traffic, road safety, noise and the need for a nursery so close to the Little Fishes Pre-School.
The Little Fishes Pre-School is located at the War Memorial Hall in Furze Platt and has been open for over 30 years.
Commenting on the proposals, a Little Fishes Pre-School representative said it supports high-quality childcare provision but had ‘significant concerns’ about the change of use.
“While we understand competition itself is not a planning matter, the introduction of a large-scale commercial provider may undermine the balance of provision in the community,” it said.
The trustees of Furze Platt War Memorial Hall backed the existing pre-school and said more than half of the hall’s income is generated from Little Fishes.
“If Little Fishes were unable to continue running, then this would have a substantial impact upon the future sustainability of the memorial hall as a community facility,” a comment said
“A worst-case scenario would be that the hall closes and is no longer available as a key community facility for local events and activities.”
Residents further raised traffic congestion concerns during peak travel times and pick-up and drop-off times for parents.
Chartered Town Planning – the applicant’s consultant – said the noise and traffic being generated during the day would have been ‘inconsequential’ compared to the former motorcycle showroom.
But ultimately, the applicant withdrew the proposals after ‘uncertainty’ over when a decision would be reached by the council.
In a comment submitted to RBWM, the consultant said: “Had the application been determined three months ago – as it really should have been – the business may still have had a chance but the passage of time, the constant and increasing costs and continued uncertainty with no indication whatsoever of an end date in sight has meant that my client has given up and will now look elsewhere.”
To view the full plans, insert 25/02312/FULL into rbwm.gov.uk
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