A former day centre run by a charity for elderly people could be turned into a children’s nursery.

The single-storey building, known as Rotary House, in Norman Road, West Malling, was owned by Kent County Council.

It was let to Age UK until about five years ago when the charity could no longer afford the rent.

The building then stood empty and West Malling Parish Council was successful in having it listed as an asset of community value.

The parish had plans to convert it into a community hub but KCC declined to sell the building to the council, instead accepting a higher offer from the commercial business.

Precious Gems Nursery, owned by James Marsh, is now seeking permission from Tonbridge and Malling council for a change of use.

The nursery would accommodate up to 30 children and have seven members of staff. It would open between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday.

The building has only five parking spaces, which has led to objections from some residents and the parish council.

They say parents dropping off and picking up their children would cause disruption in the narrow road.

However, planning officers say there would have been similar disruption if the building had continued to be used as a day centre for elderly people.

A KCC Childcare Sufficiency Assessment carried out last year had identified West Malling as having a significant deficit of around 160 childcare spaces for nought to four-year olds.

The application would have been approved under officers’ delegated powers but it was called in by Cllr Roger Roud (Lib Dem) for discussion by the planning committee.

It will meet on Wednesday, December 4, at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber at Gibson Drive, Kings Hill, to decide the matter.

The meeting is open to the public.

The council has received 30 letters of objection to the planning application and eight that were in favour.

Find out about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal.

You can find details of the application on the Tonbridge and Malling council website.

Look for application number 24/00927.