A new nursery day school that would accommodate 72 children is being proposed for St Helier Hospital.

Epsom and St Helier University NHS Trust has applied to Sutton Council for planning permission to build the one-storey facility on Rosewood Grove.

The development would be an ‘L’ shaped building designed for children up to five years old.

A 30 place play-scheme is also listed in the plans.

Facilities include classrooms, toilets, a reception area, an activity space, a kitchen and an external buggy store.

An existing nursery and play-scheme is currently based between Ferguson House and the main St Helier Hospital car park.

Planning permission was approved to replace these in 2012 and 2013 but both permissions have lapsed.

Director of Estates, Facilities and Capital Projects, Trevor Fitzgerald, said this was because of a “number of reasons”.

He added in a letter to residents: “Unfortunately, our existing nursery buildings are very run down and if we do not act to overhaul the buildings, they will not be suitable for use for much longer.”

No parking would be offered directly at the new nursery because of “site constraints,” but existing parking for St Helier Nursery will be retained in the main hospital car park if permission if granted.