A nursery owner who has submitted a plan to develop the site for housing has assured parents she has no immediate plans to close.

Hilary Murray wants to build eight apartments at Grassendale House Nursery School, in Victoria Road, Malvern.

This would involve demolishing the single-storey building.

Mrs Murray said it was one of the options for when she retires in five years' time, at the age of 65.

"Nothing's going to happen in the immediate future," she said.

Mrs Murray said the reason for applying now was so her architect bother could design the building before he also retires.

If Malvern Hills District Council approves the plan, permission would last for five years.

Last week, Mrs Murray sent a letter to parents reassuring them that the nursery would not close immediately.

If the development does go-ahead, she said there would be options for the nursery, including moving it elsewhere or into the main house.

The site lies within the Great Malvern Conservation Area.

Mrs Murray has also applied for permission to build a detached two-storey house in Newtown Road, Malvern.