Loreto Normanhurst: agricultural teaching hub planned
One of the north shore’s top schools is planning an ‘agricultural teaching facility’ where students can learn everything from planting crops to raising chickens. However, the discovery of asbestos could cause problems.
North Shore
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Students at one of the upper north shore’s top private schools will be encouraged to put their green thumbs into action under plans for a new agricultural teaching facility.
Loreto Normanhurst has applied to turn two homes north of its main campus building into a space where planting and care of chickens will be added to the school curriculum.
Plans show the development would include new indoor teaching areas, outdoor learning zones, a pergola, and a rainwater tank.
There would also be vegetable beds, vines, grass areas and chicken sheds.
The school said the development would provide a “modern teaching facility” that incorporates teaching needs with the natural environment.
“The new facility will operate as a diverse and unique teaching space for Loreto Normanhurst that uses its relationship with the surrounding areas filled with landscaping and agricultural facilities,” the plans stated.
“This proposal seeks … to create a healthy relationship with educational needs and open space”.
Development plans show the home at 89 Pennant Hills Road would be demolished as part of the project.
The building contains chrysotile asbestos and all material will be carefully handled and disposed off-site.
The facility would only be open during approved school hours from 8.20am to 3.15pm on weekdays.
The cost of the project has been estimated at $528,893 and is currently under assessment by Hornsby Council.
The plans are on top of a broader $130 million proposal for the school which is set to see extra 850 students added to the campus in coming years.
Ten new and extended buildings, new drop-off zones and ‘wellness’ rooms are the among features of the development.
That proposal is currently being assessed by the independent Planning Commission.
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