An area of disused land is set to be transformed after plans for a new children’s day nursery were approved.

A former car park on Croft Lane in Unsworth previously belonged to the Roach Bank Inn pub but is now a vacant parcel of land bounded by a fence.

The new facility will be run by Tiddlywinks Nursery Group, which is based in Bury and runs childcare centres and out of school clubs across Greater Manchester.

The group runs six nurseries, all but one of which is rated as Outstanding by education watchdog, Ofsted.

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Planning permission was originally given to the site in 2017 but no redevelopment progressed.

The applicant says the nursery will not only provide essential childcare but improve the appearance of the vacant site.

The application said: “Tiddlywinks Day Nursery was founded in 1994 by husband and wife team, David and Imelda Mihell.

"The vision started at the Hill Lane nursery, Blackley, their former home. Over the years Tiddlywinks has steadily expanded from their original 18 place nursery to the current provision of seven day nurseries, providing daily care for over 700 children and five Tiddlywinks out of school clubs, providing daily care for over 185 children across north Manchester.

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“The company ethos is to offer families a high quality, flexible, child centred service where parents can be confident in the care and education their child will receive.”

The statement added that a number of full and part time roles would be created once the nursery opens.

The council’s planning committee approved the plans earlier this month and development must begin within the next three years.