Two childcare centre plans approved for Campbelltown angers locals

Multiple approved plans for two-storey childcare centres have outraged locals in the east, with one for the top of a shopping centre labelled ‘horrendous’.

Multiple plans approved for two-storey childcare centres – including one on top of the Newton Village shopping centre – have angered more than 30 local residents.

The shopping centre plan is one of two applications approved by Campbelltown Council’s assessment panel on April 27.

Elinor Walker ESD Planning and Design lodged a plan for Newton Village on Montacute Rd that will cater for up to 100 children and operate between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, with a total of 10 staff.

One of the two childcare centres approved by Campbelltown Council’s assessment panel. Picture: Future Urban.

However, local residents had concerns with increased carparking in an “already limited car park” with the site to lose 56 carparking spaces.

They argued traffic build up around the nearby Thorndon Park Primary School and roundabout during drop off and pick up times is “ridiculous now” and additional traffic will make it “horrendous for locals”.

Plans have been approved to put a childcare centre on top of Newton Village. Picture: Elinor Walker ESD Planning and Design.

“Traffic along Stradbroke Rd and Montacute Rd is very congested with school traffic at the moment without extra from 100 children,” a panel report stated.

However, a council survey found there were at least 139 vacant rooftop spaces during the peak period of Saturday and 152 vacant spaces during the week, and it should not impact on parking availability.

A further traffic assessment, lodged with the panel, found the centre will generate “negligible additional traffic movements” as the majority of drivers accessing the proposed centre will already be on the road network and will deliver or collect their children to or from work.

Plans have been approved for a two-storey childcare centre on top of Newton Village. Picture: Google Maps.

The upper floor car park – one of three parking areas at the complex – is one of the “least utilised” and the peak demand times for both the shopping centre (Saturday) and the childcare centre (weekday morning and afternoon) are different, the report revealed.

Meanwhile, plans for a two-storey centre in Athelstone sparked submissions from 28 residents.

Future Urban also successfully lodged a plan for a centre for up to 82 children at 345 Gorge Rd.

An existing double storey house will be demolished for the plan, which will have 20 car parks and operate from 6.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday with 21 staff.

However, residents said there are not enough car parks, and an “overflow” of cars will end up in adjacent streets and would be a “hazard to bike riders”.

The two-storey centre proposed for Athelstone will cater for 82 children. Picture: Future Urban.

But staff said there was adequate on-site parking and there would be minimal traffic impact.

“The proposed development is of a type, size and scale which is considered to be acceptable within this residential locality,” the report stated.

“The siting and design of the building and land use will help to reduce its impacts on the residential locality and the facility will cater to the local and possibly more broader community.”