THREE families living in a busy town centre street have criticised the council for a lack of consultation over plans to build an “imposing” nursery just one metre from their back gardens.

Devon County Council plans to demolish Cullompton Pre-School and replace it with a modern, single-storey building more than three times its size on Brook Road.

Although Cheryl and Chris Vidall, Melanie and Peter Norman, and Lyn and Patrick Reed support the scheme in principle, they say moving it to the east of the plot would “make all the difference”.

The families, who say they have lived in harmony with the school for 25 years, say they will object to the project because in its current position it will deprive all three households of sunlight and privacy.

The families say the new school would also significantly devalue their homes.

Mrs Reed, a former teacher whose driveway doubles up as an entrance to the playgroup, said: “There has been no consultation. The first we knew about it was on February 1 when we were invited into the school to see the plans.”

The residents say all three south-facing gardens would become overshadowed by a 1.8m perimeter fence and the 2.45m building. There are also concerns that the increased capacity of the school will only add to nearby traffic congestion.

All three families attended a meeting of Cullompton Town Council on Thursday, February 18, where members said they would only support the application if it was moved to the east of the existing site.

 Mrs Norman added: ““We are in full support of a new playgroup and can see a need for it. But I don’t think there has been enough consideration about the height, the position and the impact it will have on residents. We want to support it but it is so imposing and claustrophobic.

“All three of my children have been there. It is a fabulous school and they do need somewhere bigger — but not there.”

The pre-school is currently housed in a prefabricated building,  in poor structural condition, with asbestos and sub-standard thermal insulation. The new build could contain  a lobby area and office space,  changing rooms, kitchen, laundry and new toilet facilities, three indoor play rooms and sheltered outdoor space.

A spokesperson for Devon County Council said the location has also been chosen to allow the pre-school to operate in the existing building while the new block is being constructed.

But they said all concerns received from  local residents would be “seriously considered” as part of any decision or recommendation made about the proposed development.

She added: “It is often possible to negotiate changes to proposals after an application has been submitted and this may be the best route to take in this case.”

If there is significant objection to the proposal, it is likely to be considered at the Development Management Committee on April 19. Concerned residents can object or support the plans via web link www.devon.gov.uk/index/environmentplanning/planning-system/form-contactus-development-control.htm.