AN AWARD-WINNING Helensburgh nursery will be forced to leave its current home in June – but the owners say they haven't given up hope of being able to continue at a new location.

Planning permission has been granted for the conversion of the former Royal Navy family centre at Braeholm into 10 flats and two houses, meaning that the Cottage Kindergarten will have to move out of its base in the building in two months' time.

The approval of the development plans for the building in East Montrose Street paves the way for its sale by the charity Aggie Weston's, which provided a range of welfare services at Braeholm for armed forces personnel and their families until last year.

Glasgow-based firm Panacea Properties Ltd applied to the authority in February for permission to convert the property for residential use.

That application was approved last week by Argyll and Bute Council planning officers.

When the plans were published on the council's website, Cottage Kindergarten owner Helen Baynham said the nursery - named as the best in the UK in 2012 - had been given permission to remain in the building until Easter, with hopes that its stay could be extended until June.

That short extension has now been granted - but Ms Baynham told the Advertiser that she was still seeking a new home for the nursery.

She said: “I am aware that planning permission has now been granted and the sale will probably complete next month.

“We are, however, fortunate in that we are being allowed to stay here until June to finish our last term.

“We are of course sad to be closing our facility but determined that the last term will be a good one and that we remain upbeat for the children and their parents who have been very loyal to us.

“We haven’t yet found an alternative property to relocate to but have lots of ideas and hope to be able to continue in some form.

“I would just like to say thank you to the wonderful, dedicated staff who have worked with me and to the many children and families who have attended over the years.

“I am immensely proud to have been part of their early years’ education. I wish everyone well in the future and hope that lots of our old customers will drop in over the next couple of months to say goodbye.

“The Cottage Kindergarten will always hold special memories and it has been a privilege to be part of it.”

Two objections to the application was submitted, by Helensburgh residents Scott Sharp and Jennifer Coyle, raising concerns over increased traffic and noise, inadequate parking provision and the impact on neighbouring properties.

But no objections were raised by the council's roads department after the original plans were amended to provide more parking spaces and a wider driveway.

And the planners' report on the application says noise complaints are thought to be “unlikely” given the recent use of the building.

Planning officer Brian Close says in his report on the application: “The proposed alterations to the building are minimal and positive in removing unsympathetic additions.

“The current proposal is considered to be a positive step to improving the appearance of the listed building and safeguarding it against the threat of deterioration and improvement of the amenity of the local environment and the conservation area.”

With the exception of the Cottage Kindergarten, Braeholm has lain mostly empty since its closure last year by Aggie Weston's.

The charity, which provides support to Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel and their families, put Braeholm up for sale last September, “with great regret” according to a spokesman.

The charity's trustees sought offers for the property of more than £500,000 after deciding the cost of upgrading work was unsustainable.

An online petition protesting against the closure of the Navy family centre attracted 741 signatures.

Built in the 19th century as a residential villa, Braeholm was later used as a maternity hospital and then for geriatric patients.