A TRAVEL plan could bring expansion proposals at a children's nursery to a stand-still when planners meet this week.

Bosses at Ickle Angels Day Nursery in Ferndown say they want to expand into a neighbouring bungalow in Ringwood Road and want permission for change of use on the property.

But some residents have objected to the plans citing increases in traffic and vehicle access, so nursery bosses have drawn up a travel plan following discussions with county highway experts.

But East Dorset planners are being recommended to refuse the nursery application when they meet this week, because their officers claim the travel plan is based on unrealistic figures and therefore unlikely to succeed.

"Officers are not convinced that some of the assumptions on which the figures are based are well founded," says a report to be seen by planners.

"The proposed increase in the number of children at the nursery is likely to result in congestion."

The existing nursery in Carroll Avenue cares for 35 children and the proposals would increase numbers to 46 plus two additional members of staff, taking the total to 19.

The proposed travel plan includes financial penalties for the nursery if traffic movements rise above an agreed threshold, fee discounts for parents using public transport or other means, and the acquisition of a minibus.

Nursery boss Chanine Boulton said: "There's a screaming need for more child places in Ferndown and we're turning away between five and 10 parents a week.

"We're not doing this to make money but to improve the quality of care."

She says she is convinced the travel plan would work.

"Nearly half of our children have their siblings here and we are already well below the traffic movement threshold without the expansion," she added.