Community backlash over plans for Mobil and X Convenience service station neighbouring North Haven child centre

The land has been vacant for decades but contentious plans to put in a servo next door to a childcare centre and near an aged care home have triggered outrage.

A “dusty sandy block of land” left vacant for decades is set for development but the contentious proposal has sparked outcry within a western suburbs community.

Plans build a Mobil and X Convenience service station next to a childcare centre and across the road from an aged care facility in North Haven may meet the area’s planning requirements but neighbours are not impressed.

Describing the location as “unusual”, nearby residents say they are concerned about traffic and light.

The proposal, on the corner of Military Rd and Spence St, outside the North Haven Shopping Centre, was lodged by planning and design firm Ekistics on behalf of Development Holdings Pty Ltd.

An artist impression of a proposed service station on Military Road at North Haven. Picture: Ekistics

Earlier plans from the same developer, and referenced in the service station plans, show a future $2m childcare centre is set to adjoin the latest proposal.

Catherine and Craig Chandler live about 40 metres away with their children aged 12 and four.

They completely opposed the development fearing the light from the centre might prevent the family from sleeping.

“We’ve been here for nearly six years,” Mrs Chandler, 41, said.

“We were thinking about knocking our house down and building a new place, but now the brake is on – we just don’t know what’s going to happen.

“Why spend all this money on a new house if we won’t even love living here?

“Our kids’ bedrooms are at the front of the house – what if they can’t sleep?”

The existing site which has stood vacant for decades. Picture: Brinley Duggan

The independent living Aveo-run The Haven aged care facility is across the road from the proposed servo with an entry point only 45 metres from the centre’s driveway.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said she and others were worried about increased traffic.

She said she believed no one supported the proposal.

Port Adelaide Enfield Council Councillor Vanessa Tulloch said there were still considerations to play out before the development proceeded.

“I do share the concerns of the community,” she said.

“It’s quite an unusual mix (a service station and childcare centre in the same area), in my view.”

A social media post about the development has attracted more than 300 comments with a range of responses both in favour and against the proposal.

Artist impressions of the proposed service station and car wash. Pictures: Ekistics

A number of comments celebrated the idea something could be built on a lot that had been “a dusty sandy block of land (with) nothing ever on it (for) 44 years”.

Plans indicate six bowsers would exist at the seven-metre-high site which would also be home to a bright yellow car wash and a dog wash.

The service station would be fitted out with lit signage set to remain illuminated in some capacity 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Ekistics, for the developer, was contacted for comment but did not respond.

X Convenience and Mobil were both contacted for comment but did not respond.

“We have formed the opinion that the proposed development represents appropriate and orderly development that deserves favourable consideration for approval,” the Ekistics wrote in the public notification report.

Public feedback is accepted through Plan SA until March 17.