Plans for a new nursery adjacent to Stoke Primary School in Coventry are moving forward despite facing significant local opposition. The proposal, which involves converting a former caretaker's house into a nursery with 15 places, is backed by a £65,000 government grant aimed at increasing nursery availability. The Coventry City Council planning committee is expected to approve the project, even though over 30 objections have been raised, primarily concerning parking issues and the nursery's proposed operating hours from 07:00 to 17:00. The building has been largely unused for over three years, and planning officers have determined that the conversion will not significantly impact neighborhood amenities or highway safety.

Meanwhile, a broader issue is emerging across England, where new housing developments are being constructed without essential community infrastructure. In Essex, the Paddocks development, comprising 225 homes, has been criticized for its lack of amenities, including a playground that remains closed three years after residents moved in. Local campaigner Kevin Dale highlighted the absence of shops, nurseries, and even basic recreational spaces, leaving families without necessary facilities.

In Surrey, the Westvale Park development faced a halt in construction after the local council intervened to ensure promised amenities were delivered. The council leader, Richard Biggs, noted that despite the development surpassing 1,000 homes, essential infrastructure like shops and community centers had not been built. Steve Chambers from Transport for New Homes emphasized the growing trend of housing developments lacking public transport and community spaces, isolating residents and limiting their access to basic services.

Developers like Vistry Group, responsible for the Paddocks, argue that changes to initial planning permissions are standard and that they are working within the local plan's framework. However, the delays in providing promised amenities have drawn criticism from both residents and local authorities.