Plans to transform a pub into a nursery will help address long waiting lists for places, say the company behind plans to convert a pub.

The Nest has put in an application to convert The Cotton Tree Pub in Halliwell, a move which has upset customers.

Managers for the award-winning nursery say they are experiencing an 'unprecedented' demand for places

The Nest has won the Early Years Provision of the Year at Bolton Education Awards.

Sophie Hutton  speech and language therapist who specialises in early years and autism, set up The Nest and Canterburys Nurseries in 2019.

The Bolton News: The NEST has won awards

She said: "The Nest Nursery's waiting list are long and unfortunately so many families are unable to obtain a much needed place each year due to the unprecedented demand and only few places.

"The Nest Nursery provides a community for families where the feel heard, supported and very much loved.

"Together with families The Nest celebrates every little milestone that for so many is huge! The Nest is more than just a nursery or therapy service, it really is a community, with special needs children and their families at the heart of it.

"The Nest has placed an application into Bolton's planning service to transform the Cotton Tree Pub into an innovative nursery and therapy centre.

"The proposed plans hope to double the amount of specialist places that it provides as well as opening a provision for school aged children who may have not been able to secure a place in one of Bolton's specialist schools or provisions."

The Bolton News: A new nursery could be created

Its current nursery provides 12 spaces for children with complex needs including autism and Down's Syndrome.

If the application is successful, there will also be onsite therapists including a speech and language one, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

It would also have a community space where relatives of children with additional needs can come together for training, post diagnostic supports or just a chat.

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Sophie said: “Many families of children with additional needs are isolated and in much need of a strong, supportive community, that the nest hopes to provide.”

The Bolton News: More spaces would be availabele

 “Children who attend The Nest have access to intensive and up-to-date therapies to ensure that they and their families are receiving the best possible care and start to their often challenging lives.

“Together with families The Nest celebrates every little milestone that for so many is huge."