Kinder Croft CIC nursery near Ullapool in woodland shelter bid
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AN outdoor woodland children’s nursery near Ullapool is seeking permission to build a shelter for use in bad weather.
The operators of Kinder Croft CIC are asking Highland Council planners to approve the creation of the single-room wooden shelter, which would be used as a classroom.
The community interest company uses supervised, child-led play in the open air to encourage early learning and an appreciation of the natural environment.
If permission is granted, the building would be almost entirely constructed from timber harvested within Leckmelm Wood and could be dismantled and removed without trace when no longer used.
The nursery, given a glowing report by the Care Inspectorate recently, has been providing day care for pre-school youngsters from age three upwards at Leckmelm Wood since 2019.
Most of the learning takes place outdoors in all weather.
It also recently had to apply for retrospective planning permission to operate in the woodland after it was found that the neighbour notification process was not properly completed in the initial planning application.
This separate application will be considered under planning officials delegated powers with a determination deadline of April 1.
It would require no new access work and be situated near existing compost toilets for use by the children and staff.
The new enclosed, 30 square metre shelter would complement an existing office premises, a cabin and a shelter used by the small team of staff and children.
Related:
Glowing report for woodland nursery
Oversight leads to retrospective application by nursery
