A popular soft play centre could be expanded to include a new dedicated kids' party area, a children's theatre and a nursery.

The operators of Bumble Beez, in Pysons Road, Ramgate, want to open the new facilities in the unit next door.

In a statement to Thanet District Council, planning consultant John Elvidge, writing on behalf of applicant Mount Music Management, says the proposed uses will be "perfectly complementary" to the existing soft play area facility. which also has lazer tag in a separate part of the building.

Mr Elvidge said: "The applicant wishes to introduce further leisure and non-residential institutional uses to complement the existing leisure facilities.

"These include a children's theatre, children's indoor party centre and potentially a nursery."

He says using the unit on the existing site makes more economic sense than opening in nearby Westwood Cross, where rents are significantly higher and there are currently no available units in the leisure section.

Mr Elvidge said: "The proposed uses will be perfectly complementary to the existing soft play area facility, providing families with opportunities for combining linked trips and cross-over services, for example the soft-play area providing an additional facility in connection with an area dedicated to children's parties.

"Furthermore the site is particularly well placed to serve the local communities of Northwood and Newington, providing additional community-related benefits and which were accepted by planning committee members at the time of approving the existing play area.

"Additional benefits will stem from employment created by the proposed introduction of up to three new children's facilities, and although there will be an overlap from staff already operating within the soft play area, there could potentially be between three and nine additional jobs created."

Proposed opening hours for the children's party centre would be 9am to 6pm, the same as the soft play and lazer tag.

The theatre would open from 6.30pm to 10.30pm weekdays and from 12pm to 10.30pm on weekends.

To comment on the proposal visit www.planning.thanet.gov.uk/ with planning reference F/TH/20/0493

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