Hamlyn Terrace: Plans lodged for 67-place childcare centre 200m from larger one approved

The first salvo in a looming childcare war on the coast’s north has been fired with plans for a second centre lodged just 200m from another centre approved last year. Is it too many or not enough?

Artist's impression of a 120-place childcare centre at 166 Warnervale Rd, Hamlyn Terrace. Picture: supplied

Childcare developers are moving in to the suburban growth corridor across the Central Coast’s north with plans lodged for two centres just a couple of hundred metres apart.

The first was approved last year for a 120-place centre at 166 Warnervale Rd, Hamlyn Terrace, diagonally opposite Warnervale Public School at the intersection of Minnesota Rd.

The $2.5 million centre is designed to cater for 120 children aged 0-5 across six playrooms and more than 1000sq m of outdoor space, 19 staff and 30 parking spaces.

The single-level centre has a proposed opening times between 6.30am to 6.30pm and boasts a “large and varied nature” of care options for local families “outside their home environment”.

No sooner had it been approved, the 3710sq m site was listed for sale by Ray White Commercial and sold on September 13 for $3.35m.

The vacant site at 166 Warnervale Rd, Hamlyn Terrace, where a 120-place childcare centre was approved in 2023. Picture: supplied

Selling agent Jai Sethi said the new owner hoped to start construction soon and have it ready and leased to a childcare operator in time for next year.

Meanwhile plans have been lodged with Central Coast Council for another childcare centre on a greenfield site just 200m down the road at 144 Warnervale Rd, Hamlyn Terrace.

Not far to travel: A development application has been lodged for a second childcare centre on Warnervale Rd at Hamlyn Terrace, just 200m down the street from where a 120-place centre was approved in 2023. Picture: Google

The plans have been lodged on behalf of property owner Luxland Warnervale Pty Ltd, which ASIC documents state is owned by Chinese national Min Pan, 41, of Wahroonga.

Under the DA the four vacant blocks on the corner of Warnervale Rd and McGeachie Drive will be amalgamated to form one 1540sq m site.

The plans include a two-storey centre catering for 67 children, 10 staff and 22 parking spaces, with operating times between 7am to 6pm on Monday-Friday.

“The development comprises a child care centre that has been sympathetically designed to ensure it will fit within the desired future character of the area and ensure visual and acoustic privacy and appropriate separation between the development and adjoining properties,” the DA states.

The two-storey childcare centre proposed for 144 Warnervale Rd, Hamlyn Terrace, looks a bit lit a house in this artist’s impression. Image: supplied

“The centre is close to public schools and public transport, making it well located. The centre will also increase employment opportunities in the area.”

The centre at 144 Warnervale Rd remains with council for determination.