A NURSERY school owner has won his appeal to build a childcare facility in Newton Aycliffe.

John Owens was furious when Sedgefield Borough Council refused him permission to build a 50-place nursery on the town's industrial estate.

Mr Owens plans to replace his Little Acorns nursery, which is situated in former office buildings on the estate, with a £250,000 new facility incorporating an outdoor play area.

But, following a site visit, councillors rejected the proposal in April this year.

They said the land needed to be safeguarded for possible future development and argued that a nursery would be out of place with the existing street scene.

There were also concerns that the proposed building would overshadow a neighbouring factory, causing a loss of daylight.

Mr Owens lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, which this week overturned the council's decision and granted planning permission.

It is now hoped that work on the nursery can start just after Christmas, with the building opening next spring.

Mr Owens, who said the inspector's decision will safeguard the jobs of 16 employees, criticised the council for refusing the application.

He said he first contacted the council about the scheme in November last year and at no point was he given any indication that there would be a problem.

He said: "This has been an absolute farce and it is a total joke. They are asking businesses to move into Newton Aycliffe, but we have got an existing business, are safeguarding jobs and creating a better environment for the children, yet they turned us down.

"This has cost me a lot of money and a lot of time because we could have been up and running by now. I am just pleased that it has not worn me down, but I had the backing of the staff and the parents to keep me going."

Sedgefield Borough Council spokesman Graham Robinson said: "We are very disappointed with the inspector's decision.

"Members were very concerned at the time about placing children in an industrial environment. The applicant has the right to appeal and that is the course he has followed."