Plans to open a children’s nursery on one of Birmingham’s busiest roads have been earmarked for approval.

Officials have told Birmingham City Council's planning committee there are no grounds to reject the setting-up of a nursery in a vacant shop on Station Road in Erdington.

The site, which has space for 12 children, has no garden space either.

Committee members had previously decided to refuse planning permission.

But in a report to the committee, issued ahead of their meeting on Thursday, officials told the councillors they risk costly legal action if they go ahead with that decision.

Site owner Jonathon Clews said nursery staff will be able take the children to nearby Osborne Primary School to use their playground for exercise.

Highways officials also stated they had no concerns over the safety of toddlers, even though the nursery’s front door opens onto the busy street.

It was also pointed out that another nursery, Honeybears, operates a few doors away with no safety problems.

The report said: “Members are advised that if they are minded to refuse the application there could be potential difficulties in the event of an appeal, as well as any subsequent application for costs.”

It says that the front door would remain locked and that children would be supervised while being walked to the school playground.

And it adds: “The applicant states that Osborne Primary School have provided a secure outdoor play area for the nursery to use.”

Considering the application two months ago, Coun Maureen Cornish (Con, Sutton Four Oaks) said: “I am not comfortable with this at all.

"This road is extremely busy all the time. It is not the right premises for a children’s nursery, full stop. They would be confined in an area which is not very large.”