PLANS to build a new nursery catering for 64 children are waiting for the go-ahead from planning bosses.

The University of Southampton Science Park, in Chilworth, wants to knock down a derelict cottage at the entrance to the site and build the day nursery to meet the rocketing demand for places.

Hampshire County Council’s children’s services has revealed there is a population growth rate, which will continue to put pressure on nursery places.

But the Science Park is now at the centre of a planning row when an officer recommended the plans for approval but a planning committee later refused them.

Now they must wait for the decision at a meeting on November 17.

The £500,000 nursery would provide childcare for some of the 1,000 employees who work on the park and others in the local community.

It could also create 17 new jobs in the area with management roles and nursery nurses needed.