Two nurseries closed around six months ago could be turned into homes with one application approved by Oldham Council and another application under consideration.

MiChild, the owner of 16 nurseries across Greater Manchester and the north west, closed Hillside Nursery in Moorside and Park Nursery in Werneth over Christmas, a little more than a year after its acquisition of them.

At the time, a spokesperson told The Oldham Times the closures were for 'commercial reasons'.

READ MORE: 'Disaster' strikes as two Oldham nurseries to close before Christmas.

They said: "Following a review of our provision of nursery places, we've taken the decision to close two of our nurseries in Oldham. 

"While we understand that this might be inconvenient for some parents, we sadly must make these decisions for commercial reasons.

"As a company, we remain committed to Oldham and to providing happy, inspiring and safe childcare for all the children in our care."

In the last few months, MiChild chief executive Adam Sage has submitted applications to the council for outline planning permission to turn the two nurseries into homes.

One application, for at least three houses on the site of Hillside Nursery on Sholver Lane, was approved this week.

While another application, for one house and a number of apartments on the site of Park Nursery on Frederick Street, is still under consideration.

The approval of outline planning permission is likely to add to the value of the land on which the two nurseries stand if MiChild decides to sell it.

But the idea of additional homes could cause concerns in the areas affected, which are some of the borough's most deprived.

Especially as the arrival of families to fill them could add to demand for places at nurseries, which are now fewer in number.

When Hillside Nursery closed over Christmas, its then manager Emma Whiteley expressed concerns for families in these areas already.

READ MORE: Manager seeks spot for new nursery after Christmas closure.

She said: "No one is going to know these families are struggling until it's too late – until something serious happens."

"These children are going to be forgotten. They're going to have nowhere to go until they go to school," she added.

However, MiChild said places at other nurseries were offered to all children, while the council said it was not aware of a lack of places in these areas.