Parents are up in arms as the multi-millionaire owners of a five-star hotel have unveiled plans to replace a nursery with a luxury spa.
The controversial plans have left ‘devastated’ parents scrambling to find alternative childcare, with the nursery attended by more than 100 children.
Crossbasket Nursery School is in the grounds of Crossbasket Castle in High Blantyre, Lanarkshire, one of Scotland’s premier hotels and wedding venues.
The 14-acre estate was derelict before being bought in 2011 by husband and wife Steve and Alison Timoney, believed to have a combined net worth between £60 and £100m, who set about transforming the category A-listed building.
Transforming it into one of the country’s leading luxury hotels and event venues, the nursery formed part of the original planning consent for the redevelopment.
It had previously been claimed that the nursery closure earlier this year was due to ‘serious health concerns of the owner’, the Times reports.
However, it has since been revealed that the couple submitted plans to transform the nursery building into a spa facility.
Documents reveal it will feature six treatment rooms, wet and dry experience facilities, changing rooms and a waiting area.
The 14-acre estate was derelict before being bought in 2011 by husband and wife Steve and Alison Timoney, believed to have a combined net worth between £60 and £100m, who set about transforming the category A-listed building
The controversial plans have left ‘devastated’ parents scrambling to find alternative childcare, with the nursery attended by more than 100 children
There will also be a kitchen area, office space, changing facilities and toilets.
It is expected that turning the building from a nursery into a high-end spa will set the couple back a figure running into the six figures.
Worried parents, carers and politicians were left furious when it was announced the nursery was to close earlier this year, describing the move as a ‘devastating blow’.
Emma Gartshor wrote on social media: ‘It is really astonishing that the owners genuinely thought we’d all believe them when they said this was never the plan.
‘You’d think they’d wait more than six weeks since they displaced the last few families and paid staff a pittance in redundancy before moving in.’
Another, Kay Katherine, wrote: ‘Hope this decision was worth the displacement of staff, babies and children. Profit over integrity.’
A third posted: ‘I hope everyone boycotts it after the upset they cause to many staff, parents and kids. Knew it was profit over anything!’.
Despite the backlash, the owners continued with plans to close the nursery.
Collette Stevenson, the East Kilbride MSP, said she was ‘deeply concerned by the closure’.
She said at the time: ‘The closure of Crossbasket nursery has left families shocked, anxious and scrambling for solutions.
‘I’ve heard from many local parents who are rightly devastated and worried about the impact this will have on their children and their ability to work.
Clare Haughey, the Rutherglen MSP, added: ‘The owner has said that the decision is for “personal reasons” but that does not alleviate the deep anxiety and stress that parents and nursery staff have experienced, especially when it looked like the closure was imminent and little information was available.’
Just months prior to the closure, the Timoney family opened a lavish new 40-bedroom hotel within the estate after a £20m expansion opened in March.
It also boasts an ‘entertainment-led dining experience’ overseen by Roux who owned the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Gavroche in London.
South Lanarkshire Council will issue a decision on the planned new spa in due course.
A spokesperson for Crossbasket Castle said: ‘Development of the eco lodges and spa had already commenced alongside the River Calder, adjacent to the new hotel.
‘Following the closure and handover of the former nursery building, a review of the estate layout was undertaken to ensure the best use of available space.
‘As part of this, the spa is now planned for the estate’s entrance, allowing the existing building to be repurposed.’
