Thanks LadyWotLunches,
I'm not taking sides, but just interested to see the range of opinions.

However, could it be the near neighbours are close to retirement and is that maybe why they're concerned? In which case the business could affect them while in their garden. Maybe they're concerned about a future impact? I take your point that 5 year olds would hardly be able to overlook their garden, but what about the staff?

I'm not assuming this is the case, just trying to get to the substance of the objections. If there really is little substance then fair enough.