People living in a road that already has two children's nurseries are campaigning against plans for a third, writes Madeleine Pennell.

They are worried that the nursery for up to 55 children would generate too much extra traffic and noise in Sandfield Road, Headington, Oxford.

The road is already home to the ABC nursery and Sandfield nursery, which is on the site of the John Radcliffe Hospital. The new nursery would be in what is now a private house. The owners want to build a three-storey extension with an office and kitchenette at the back. There would be four car parking spaces at the front.

Despite opposition from residents, Oxford City Council's planning committee approved the plans in 1998, subject to a legal agreement that was never completed.

The committee approved the plans again in July this year, but councillors Alex Hollingsworth, Jock Coats and Colin Cook have asked for the issue to go to full council on October 10, when a final decision will be made. But people living in the road are horrified at the plans.

Joanne Lovett, 60, who has lived next to the proposed site for 40 years, said she had been looking forward to a peaceful retirement.

She said: "It will have a massive extension at the rear which will take all my view and the drainage will go across my lawn. We are upset about it. This is a residents' parking permit zone, so there is nowhere for them to park." Another resident, Nigel Spawton, said: "It is absolute madness. It is appalling. We are against what will be a busy commercial nursery in a residential area. It will be at the end of a cul-de-sac. We are very, very angry."

Cllr Alex Hollingsworth said: "The concern is the increased traffic. Sandfield Road already has two nurseries and the traffic problems are already serious. This will increase the problem still further."