A plan for a new 83-person childcare facility in Northmead, which was originally rejected by City of Parramatta Council, has now been given new life by the Land and Environment Court.
Despite initial concerns the proposed development was not in “the public’s interest”, a plan to construct a two-storey childcare centre at 11-13 Campbell Street, Northmead, will now go ahead.
It will see the amalgamation of two lots, which are currently occupied by a residential dwelling at 11 Campbell Street and vacant land at 13 Campbell Street.
Operating Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6pm, the centre will include basement parking for 22 vehicles, including 10 staff car spaces.
13 staff members will be employed at the facility, which will feature four indoor play spaces, three outdoor play areas, a kitchen, laundry, staff room and cot room across the basement and two floors.
The facility will have space for 45 children between the ages of three and six-years-old, 30 for two to three-year-olds and eight children between zero and two-years-old.
Located opposite the Northmead Shopping Village, with the Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School just 200m east of the site, the childcare centre will be built in a busy area of Northmead.
The proposal was originally refused by Parramatta Council in October last year over concerns it would have an adverse impact on the surrounding built environment, unacceptable pedestrian safety impacts and fail to provide adequate parking spaces.
“The development is considered an overdevelopment of the site as the operation of the facility results in undesirable amenity impacts for adjoining properties, and unacceptable pedestrian safety impacts within the locality,” a Council report said.
However, amended plans led to the Land and Environment Court giving the proposed development the tick of approval for construction.
“The Council has considered the amended plans and additional material provided by the applicant in response to the contentions and is now satisfied that the proposed development is appropriate for a grant of development consent,” Land and Environment Court document said.
“The development will have an acceptable impact on the amenity of surrounding properties and the locality in terms of acoustics, privacy and streetscape.”
A slew of recommendations have also been made to help mitigate noise from impacting the surrounding area, including limiting outdoor play to a maximum of four hours a day, sound barrier walls and moving crying children indoors
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other projects.