PERMISSION is being sought to convert a County Durham nursery which shut down suddenly into an office.

Sedgefield’s Cherry Tree Nursery, on North End, closed its doors in April, 2016.

An application has now been submitted to turn the former children’s nursery into office space for Demeter Water Solutions, a water management service.

In the design and access statement, the applicant wrote: “The interior layout of the building will remain as it is, with room being used as office space, the kitchen arranged for staff use, and the existing bathroom restored for use with new bathroom furniture, including a shower for cyclists or runners.”

They added the business would cause no noise or nuisance to neighbouring properties.

However, Durham County Council has so far received one objection about parking.

The applicant states it would have room to accommodate one vehicle and that there is ample parking nearby in the town.

It is anticipated four vehicles could be parked nearby - less than what is permitted for staff numbers needed to run it as a nursery.