AMBITIOUS plans to transform a former luxury spa into a children’s nursery have been rejected.

Angela Andrea opened the Oak Rooms Spa, in Oak Road, Halstead, in January 2020.

However, after getting through the pandemic, the spa struggled to reopen and was eventually forced to close in March this year.

Angela had hoped to use her background in childcare and convert the house into a nursery business.

But Braintree Council has refused the planning application, which has left her frustrated and upset.

She said: “The whole process was very frustrating, and I am disappointed it was refused.

“They claimed that losing the spa would be the loss of a rural business, even though I only ever employed two people and would look to triple that with the nursery.

“As well as this, they cited traffic, however, I have proved in documents that this would not be an issue.

“We had 157 families on our waiting list that we have had to let down.

“Whether I have the fight and the funds left in me to appeal the decision I don’t know.

“There are clearly a lot of very desperate families out there which cannot get their children into childcare, and I just think it should be a priority for the council.

“I just know I could bring so much to this community for childcare and parental support, as it desperately needs it.”

A spokesman for Braintree Council said: “Braintree Council and Essex County Council accept that there is a need for new early years school places within the town of Halstead and will be supportive of proposals that meet that need on suitable and sustainable sites in the town.

"Unfortunately, in this instance, given the location of the site in a rural area accessed by narrow country roads, it would not be possible for the site to be accessed by walking and cycling and would lead to additional car journeys in the countryside and as such the application has been refused.

“The council would encourage all applicants to make use of the pre-application process, prior to submitting a planning application, which will provide them with an earlier indication of the view of the planning authority, without the expense of a full planning application.”