An empty storage building in High Wycombe could be turned into an “out of school centre”, despite parking and safety concerns.

New plans were given the green light to turn the derelict building at 11 Ford Street into an after school childcare centre with a crèche and adult learning facilities, which could mean a “significant” disabled bay opposite the development might have to be moved.

Local ward member, Cllr Ray Farmer, said he had spent six years “fighting” the county council for the disabled bay which a Ford Street resident, who cllr Farmer said has severe breathing problems, uses on a regular basis.

He said: “He can hardly move due to breathing problems and if that bay is moved too far away from his house, we will impact on his standard of living, so I feel that bay must stay outside his house.

“If it is moved, I feel we will affect someone’s wellbeing and their life.

“It took me six years to prove that man needed that bay. Any development which would take that away would not get my approval.”

Chairman of the planning committee cllr Paul Turner said the moving of the disabled bay would require a public consultation and if the result of that consultation meant the bay could not be moved, it would put the development “in jeopardy”.

The out-of-hours childcare facility would accommodate 45 children aged between four and 11, and the proposed crèche would take on eight children aged between six months to four years.

The adult education classes would accommodate 15 adults. During holidays and Saturdays, no adult classes would run, but up to 45 children aged between four and 11 could be accommodated between 8am and 6pm.

Councillors were also concerned about the parking on and near the site, with another local ward member, cllr Marten Clarke, saying the on-site parking spaces did not allow for parents to take their children, who would be “likely” to be in car seats, out of the car with an adequate amount of space.

He added that there was not enough space for vehicles to turn within the car park in order to get back out on the main road.

Speaking about the safety of the road, he said: “The street is used as a rat run between Abbey Barn Road and London Road to avoid the traffic lights at the junction of both roads.

“Traffic entering from the east, from London Road, regularly does so at some speed and cuts the right hand bend that you have going in, straying significantly into the opposite lane.

“It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

However former Wycombe mayor cllr Mohammed Hanif said the application should be seen as a “blessing in disguise”, adding: “It’s a very powerful proposal for a very neglected and derelict site of High Wycombe.

“This is an opportunity to improve that area so I don’t see any problem with it.”