Centre 81 has applied for planning permission to Argyll and Bute Council to demolish a boat store and portakabin and extend the centre to form a children’s nursery and after school club.

The Old School Road centre has been running since 2011, following a £1.3 million restoration process.

And now the group behind the project has unveiled plans for a nursery – which would serve Garelochhead and the Rosneath Peninsula.

The team has carried out surveys and open days with the community in 2013 and 2014 to gauge opinion and get feedback, the demand for the nursery has been high with over 40 per cent of people saying the need for pre and post school care is most important.

The nursery is being supported by public funding agencies, and applications have already been approved for stage one and two lottery funding.

A spokeswoman confirmed this in the planning statement: “The demand for a nursery has been established, the design team have met with the local community and incorporated their comments to ensure the building is not only fit for purpose as a children’s nursery but also meets the needs and expectation of the end users.

“Funders are in place and we are now seeking permission from the local authority to extend the Centre to supply the facilities and create local job opportunities.

“The proposed extension to Centre 81 will create much needed nursery facilities for the local community.” The building proposals have been designed to include on the ground floor, two baby rooms, two infant rooms, kitchen area for staff room, staff changing areas, laundry and drying area, secure outside play area, and a separate secure access from main building.

The first floor will have new office facilities, storage and a multi-purpose room for after school care and training areas.

The nursery building will also be energy efficient using reclaimed natural materials and will have a light colourful feel to it.

To view the plans and make a comment, visit the council’s website and search for 14/01686/PP.