Planners have signed off on plans to turn the former Ham Brewery Tap into a children's day centre and nursery, with space for 49 children ranging from babies to age five.

Planning by Design put forward the scheme to Richmond Council last year, saying a number of internal alterations would be need to convert the Ham Street venue.

Plans show the nursery would operate Monday to Friday from 7am to 6:30pm, and be closed on Saturdays barring the occasional event.

The pub and the flatted accommodation are both currently vacant which the planning application says "is becoming increasingly evident from overgrowth within the curtilage".

The beer garden area will be turned into playground area and the front will be reconfigured to provide off street staff parking for four cars. 

Solar panels are also planned to be installed.

The planning statement says: "The proposed development is considered to be of suitable design and layout, which would not harm the amenities of neighbouring residents, preserves the character and appearance of the area, and would not adversely impact the safety of the highway. 

"The development would provide an acceptable nursery use as it has been demonstrated in the marketing evidence and identified need."

Signing off on the application, a council report limited the hours the nursery can be used for.

It added: "The proposal has been considered in the light of the Development Plan, comments from statutory consultees and third parties (where relevant) and compliance with Supplementary Planning Guidance as appropriate.

"It has been concluded that there is not a demonstrable harm to interests of acknowledged importance caused by the development that justifies withholding planning permission."

Find the full planning application here.