North shore church set to be converted into 40-space childcare centre
Plans to convert a church in Lane Cove into a 40-space childcare centre is one is one step closer to reality with the development set for approval by Willoughby Council.
North Shore
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Parishioners are set to be replaced by children at church on Sydney’s north shore under a contentious plan to convert the building into a childcare centre.
The Presbyterian Ladies College Sydney is one step closer to redeveloping its site at 41-43 Farren St in Lane Cove North as part of a $500,000 plan lodged to Willoughby Council.
The proposal includes converting the building into three classrooms for up 40 children, aged between three to five.
Plans show there would also be two indoor playing rooms, eight parking spaces and an outdoor playing area with a creek bed, weather monitoring station, kitchen and a rope climbing area.
The collage said the plan was in line with State Government planning laws that encourage new childcare facilities across NSW.
But feedback from surrounding homeowners has proved mixed, with submissions including objections to potential noise, parking and traffic impacts.
A petition lodged to the council also flagged concerns over potential safety impacts from additional cars on Farren St, as well as the “limited” consultation period during the summer school holidays.
The council said an assessment of traffic was found to be “acceptable” and the surrounding road network was able to “accommodate” the development.
The assessment came after the college scaled down its plans from a 60-space centre after initial traffic concerns were raised by the council in 2018.
The proposal has been recommended for approval by the Willoughby Local Planing Panel on the proviso a stormwater management plan is completed within 12 months.
The panel will determine the proposal at a meeting on Tuesday.
If approved, the centre would open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm.
The North Shore Times contacted The Presbyterian Ladies College Sydney for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.