The newest and most attractive option that has emerged is that of a permanent site for a custom-built nursery on a piece of land (zoned for employment) at the far end of Deanfoot Road (past Robinsland). Tweed Homes own this site and are currently in early negotiations with Janette.

Apart from this, Janette is also reviewing costs for a moveable timber framed building which could be built on the Tag hut site (and potentially relocated if the new school design can’t accommodate the nursery in this location). An initial estimate suggests that the running costs month on month associated with this option would be significantly lower than those associated with a leased portakabin-type building - if finance can be secured

Clearly costs and planning issues still need to be resolved re the Tweed Homes option. Catriona Bhatia is attending a meeting with Barry Fotheringham and Janette on February 11th to clarify the Planning Dept's perspective on the Deanfoot Road plot. And it’s possible that detailed costings from the Developer will not be available for a few weeks.

The issue with the other - Alba - option, as highlighted above, is really one of finance - i.e. assuming Will Murray’s determined efforts to secure a secondary site for the nursery through the Local Plan Amendment process are successful, Janette will need to explore with lenders whether they would be willing to give her a mortgage on the basis of the five year lease plus a commitment from the council to a longer term plot, either in the school grounds, or somewhere else within the village plan.

So, at the moment, there's loads going on, but Janette needs to take this on to the next stage before it's clear what support, if any, she might need from PAG from here. Janette is keeping us posted on developments and will let the action group know when it makes sense to have the next meeting. Janette is also keeping in touch with Linton Hotspurs, so that, as they pursue their plans for part of the tag-hut site, the council don't lose sight of the possibility that the nursery may still want to lease part of the playing field site.