Plans to build a nursery for up to 26 children at a Long Ashton primary school have been submitted.

North Somerset Council wants to build the single-storey facility at Birdwell Primary School, in Hollis Road, after receiving Government funding to increase the number of free nursery hours for working parents from 15 to 30 hours a week.

The nursery, which will employ two full-time and one part-time members of staff, would include classroom and storage space, a kitchen, toilets and an office.

The application’s design and access statement, prepared by Chris Goodsall Architects, says: “The nursery will be open from 8am-6pm, running various shorter sessions throughout the day as well as full day sessions.

“These times will be outside of the peak drop off times for school-aged children which will ensure traffic is not increased at these times.

“In addition, parents with children already at the school will be able to drop off nursery-aged children at the same time as children attending the school which will again ensure vehicle movements onto the site are not increased.

“With the increase in free nursery hours it is expected that the nursery places will be in demand from local families, including parents who already have children at the school.

“Parents at the school have already shown considerable interest in the nursery.

“The increase in numbers will allow the school to increase its support to other community activities.”

The application also reveals that the nursery’s design and colour will be in keeping with the school’s other building extensions.

The consultation period for this application expires on Monday.