Ashby councillors have raised safety concerns over plans to convert the former doctors' surgery in North Street into a day nursery.

An application has been submitted by Ashby Day Nursery, which is next to the site, to extend on to what was the surgery building and car park.

The proposal is to turn the main car park into an artificial grass play area.

But while Ashby de la Zouch Town Council's Planning and Transportation Committee had no objection to the redevelopment itself, the issue of traffic congestion was seen as a potential problem.

The committee felt that added traffic dropping off the added numbers of children in the morning combined with lorries making deliveries to the rear of the Co-op would present difficulties in North Street.

But one councillor said: "It's an accident waiting to happen."

Cllr Dan Harrison said: 'I have no real objections, the only thing I would say is whether five parking bays would cover the staff?"

Committee chairman Jim Hoult addedL "The only thing I was approached about was the lorries backing up to the Co-op.

"There are worries about children being up there with lorries and vans making deliveries at all hours of the day.

"But there are already two nurseries in North Street plus children going to the school."

Cllr David Bigby said: "The concern is that children may be moving from the current site at No28 to the play area during the day and that might cause some sort of conflict with lorries delivering.

"The District Council would have to make sure appropriate procedures are put in place to make sure there aren't any dangers.

"I wouldn't have thought it was grounds for objection."

But Cllr Mike Ball, committee vice-chairman, said: "I can't see any reason on planning grounds to object to.

"One of the problems is people dropping their children off, it's a right muddle in the morning as no-one wants to pay for parking in the North Street car park, they rush over and rush back again before they get a ticket.

"It'll make the problem an awful lot worse. It's not ideal.

"This is going to accommodate a lot more children, and there'll be a lot more parents trying to drop off all at the same time every day.

"I can tell you it's not a pretty sight down there in the mornings."

Cllr Graham Allman added: "I tend to agree with Cllr Ball, this is an accident waiting to happen.

"Pavement parking is totally abused up there, it's very dangerous."

Cllr Roger Bayliss said: "it's not our problem, it's the parents' problem. It's a fact of current life, go to any primary school in town when the children go to or leave school and it's packed, it's a fact of life."

But Cllr Ball replied: "This is a slightly different situation, you have a pay and display car park which the parents all have to use. It's not a great situation and it's not easy."

The committee agreed to ask for a travel plan for both buildings if the nursery is looking to expand its operation and to check if there will be enough parking spaces connected to the scheme.