Governors of a primary school in Penarth have backed controversial plans to merge with a nearby independent nursery.

Vale of Glamorgan council is consulting the public on plans to merge two nurseries in Penarth with primary schools.

The plans would see Bute Cottage Nursery merged with Evenlode Primary School and Cogan Nursery merged with Cogan Primary School.

While campaigners Save Bute Cottage are opposing the merger, the chair of governors at Evenlode Primary School have written an open letter urging parents to support the changes.

Stephen Burkitt-Harrington said: "We are aware each setting has its own unique identity, and we strongly believe this can be maintained with a shared ethos. The proposed amalgamation would enable the transition between nursery and reception to be seamless, and would impact positively on the wellbeing and emotional development of all our learners.

"The current proposals include the nursery remaining on its current site at Bute Cottage and with its current capacity. Although this would become part of Evenlode Primary School, there are no plans for any staff redundancies, or to change any personnel between sites. Governors at Evenlode recognise the specialist provision and expertise of the staff at Bute Cottage Nursery."

Concerns were previously raised by Save Bute Cottage that the merger would eventually see the nursery relocated next to the primary school, but the council has denied these plans. A petition against the merger has received 947 signatures.

Mr Burkitt-Harrington said staff at both Bute Cottage and Evenlode already do "excellent work" in helping pupils transition from nursery to primary school. But he said a merger would improve the transition process, increase opportunities for professional development of staff, help parents build relationships with staff, and strengthen governance of the school and nursery.

He added: "As the governing body, we commend this proposal and ask members of our school community to respond to the consultation process after considering this open letter. We want to ensure all views are represented and can be considered by the council fully. As governors, we also promise to exercise our responsibility to support this current consultation process fully and fairly."

The public consultation ends on November 5 and further details can be found on the council website. If the council goes ahead with the plans, the changes would take effect September next year.