CHILDREN in our community will benefit from a planning development which will see a maths and English study centre built.
An application has been submitted to Barrow Borough Council to turn Murray's Pharmacy in Roose Road into a Kumon study centre.
Kumon are a global organisation that tutors children in English and maths in small classroom environments.
The application has been recommended for approval and permission should be granted when town planners meet on August 15.
In a report prepared by planning officers for the council's planning committee, parking was identified as one of the most pressing issues at the site.
The application has been met with criticism from residents, saying the conversion will see more traffic on an already busy street.
A neighbour close to the development questioned where the additional cars the development is expected to attract will go. They asked: "Where are these people going to park; the parking here is already horrendous?"
However, in the report, the planning officer said there would be "minimal impact" on the present parking situation.
The report said: "The alteration from the previous use should raise minimal issues. Currently, the site could operate as a retail premises which would have a greater impact in terms of potential traffic generation."
In addition, consultation with the Highways Department on Cumbria County Council found there would be "no material effect" on the existing road network.
There is already a Kumon centre in Barrow operating from the Beacon Hill Methodist Church in Hollyoake Avenue. It is not yet known if this centre will be closed due to the new development.
The Mail contacted the applicant for comment on the application.
The planning committee will meet at 2.30pm in the Town Hall's Drawing Room on Tuesday August 15.
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