AN UNINHABITED farmhouse could be transformed into a children's day nursery, if plans are approved. 

Childcare provider Amanur Limited has lodged an application with Test Valley Borough Council to change the use of Finkley Down Farmhouse.

Amanur Limited, based in Andover, formed in 2017 when it converted the Coppins Bungalow adjacent to Finkley Down Farm into a children’s pre-school and nursery, looking after two to five-year-olds.

SEE MORE: Finkley Down Farm Nursery and Pre-school Andover rated in top 20​ 

Andover Advertiser: Finkley Down FarmhouseAfter the Covid-19 pandemic, the nursery grew into Finkley Down Nurseries, with the company now running four nursery sites.

The plan is to convert the Finkley Down Farmhouse into another site to accommodate three month to five-year-olds at Finkley Down Farm.

Its planning application states: "The company has grown whilst maintaining its family feel.

"The nursery continued to have a waiting list and feedback from parents and staff was the current nursery needed to accommodate under twos.

"Our lack of space for under twos meant that customers and staff had to find childcare elsewhere until their child turned 2." 

It added that Finkley Nurseries is "is going against the grain and increasing places", and will have further places to accommodate the Government's access to free childcare plan. 

The application went before Andover Town Council's planning committee on Tuesday, January 2, where it received no objection. 

Cllr Heather Neate said: "It's a run-down old farmhouse, and they just want to change it into a nursery. It's a business, and they have good business, so I have no objection."

SEE ALSO: Outstanding Ofsted rating child's play for Finkley nursery

The farmhouse building is currently uninhabited and is land locked within the Finkley Down Farm Park, resulting in it being unsellable for future residential use.

As part of the application, Amanur has said the garden will be remodelled suitable for children will be created in the existing gardens. These will remain fenced to enable the children to play safely on site. 

In October 2023 Finkley Andover Nursery and Preschool was inspected by Ofsted and was rated 'outstanding', with the inspector saying leaders have created an 'extremely unique, child-centred learning environment'.