A COMMUNITY has won the fight to keep its nursery after parents, councillors and residents objected to proposals which could see it close.

Cambridgeshire County Council has decided that closing the Oasis Nursery School is not an option after a consultation highlighted it as a vital facility.

Out of nearly 250 responses to the consultation, more than 180 favoured keeping the nursery open. Just four per cent backed the closure, with 11 per cent in support of finding another organisation to run it.

Mum-of-two Aimee Cooper collected more than 250 petition signatures from parents and residents determined to protect the facility’s future.

County Councillor for Wisbech North Samantha Hoy had also spoken out in support of the nursery. “I am very happy that the nursery will be staying open,” she said. “It is a vital facility for the North of Wisbech.

“I am looking forward to working with residents and the county council to find the best way forward. I was also pleased to see how involved local residents became in their campaign.

“The fact that the nursery will remain open illustrates the value of consultation and the county council’s commitment to listening to the views of residents.”

The county council is now set to launch a “second phase” of the consultation, which will look at ways it can continue to run the nursery or whether a formal tender exercise, inviting applications from other childcare providers, should begin.

The second public consultation will take place from January 30 to February 26 and will include a public meeting to outline the proposals.

The county council will make a decision on the nursery’s future at a Cabinet meeting on April 17. If thought suitable, a tendering process would commence the following week.

Any enquiries can be directed to Project Manager Jemma Keegan on 01223 507127, or by e-mail at jemma.keegan@cambridgeshire.gov.uk