Little Gems: North Balgowlah childcare proposal causes community concern

More than 100 residents have banded together to fight a proposal to change a residential home into a childcare centre in North Balgowlah.

A family home could be transformed into a childcare centre in North Balgowlah but residents have cited concerns over parking, traffic and safety. Picture: Google

More than 100 residents have signed a petition to fight a North Balgowlah development proposal, which would see a two-storey family home turned into a 24-place childcare centre.

Residents have cited concerns over traffic, parking, safety and noise, referring to plans as “inappropriate” in one of North Balgowlah’s busiest streets.

The proposal for 16 Bangaroo St would involve alterations and additions to the house to create new activity and outdoor play spaces on the ground floor, although “most of their playtime is conducted in the secure indoor environment”.

A development proposal for 16 Bangaroo St, North Balgowlah is under fire. Picture: Northern Beaches Council website

The front garden would be removed and replaced with a carpark which would accommodate five parking spaces with parents allocated 10 minute timeslots to drop off and pick up their children to prevent any congestion.

The childcare centre, Little Gems, will cater to children aged three to five and would operate from 8.30am until 4pm on Monday to Friday.

Documents lodged by BBF Town Planners on behalf of the developers, addresses noncompliance in parking.

“The proposed development will be served by a total of 5 carparking spaces which is minorly non-compliant with the control based on max 24 children proposed,” the document states.

Generic images of children playing a childcare centre.

“The traffic and parking report provided demonstrates that the proposed carparking provided will adequately service the child care centre with the local area providing adequate on street parking and public transport options,” the document continues.

However, in the conclusion of the report, it states, “the small scale nature of the child care centre and plan of management will ensure that centre will not create any unreasonable amenity impacts within the neighbourhood.”

BFF Town Planner William Fleming told the Manly Daily his clients, Kellie Gielis and Craig Gielis, were mum and dad developers and did not wish to make comment due to disputes with neighbours.

There have been almost 40 public submissions lodged to the council.

Resident David Perks said it was a “recipe for safety issues”.

Residents are concerned the development would have a major impact to traffic. Picture: David Perks

“If you were to look on a map and pick a childcare centre, this would be one of the last places you would choose. The reason why is Bangaroo St is very busy in terms of traffic, buses and pedestrians,” Mr Perks told the Manly Daily.

“There’s only one pavement in this area. So the only pathway for pedestrians to move up and down, will have cars going up and down the driveway to this development’s carpark. I live at the top of Worrobil St and can hear the screeching or tyres and honking of horns daily as it is.

“It’s just not a safe place to introduce a high level of traffic going in and out of a premises at the same time. The reason we chose to live in North Balgowlah is because it is a residential suburb, it is friendly, it’s not commercialised.”

Mr Perks said the community felt “there’s not a need for it” with other childcare centres in the area.

Another resident, Rebecca Engle, said it was an “in appropriate location”.

“The facility itself is on a busy road and there’s not a lot of parking. I wouldn’t want to be carrying my child on these roads,” Ms Engle said.

“Because of the negative impact it will have on residents, the overall community benefit is not there. I have a one year old and I wouldn’t even be able to send my children there because of the restricted hours.”