Pymble Ladies’ College’s $46m development plan heads to Independent Planning Commission

A major redevelopment plan by a top north shore private school has taken a new turn after the proposal sparked opposition from neighbours, a local council and a state politician.

A major redevelopment proposal by a top north shore private school has taken a new turn after sparking opposition from neighbours, a local council and a state politician.

The Department of Planning has called on the Independent Planning Commission to assess a multistorey expansion plan by Pymble Ladies’ College for new facilities including a purpose-built childcare centre and a dance academy.

The $46 million development would stand five storeys tall and includes replacing existing demountable classrooms with new state of the art teaching spaces.

There would also be a new after-hours school care centre and dance academy that could be used by both students and the wider community.

A concept plan of the development.

Pymble Ladies College, in its plans, said the development would “provide a better environment” for its 2259 students, 120 borders and teachers.

The release of plans prompted more than 120 public submissions from residents, mostly objecting to potential traffic and parking impacts, noise and the bulk and scale of the project.

Some residents claimed construction workers could also take up prized parking spaces surrounding the college, leaving locals nowhere to park for two years during construction works.

Neighbour Ray Barbero – in his submission – said the project could place added pressure on an already strained local road network.

The proposal has been referred to the Independent Planning Commission.

“The proposed redevelopment would only add to the traffic problem. It would result in even more traffic to and from the college and consequently exacerbate the already severe traffic congestion,” he said.

Similar concerns were raised by Ku-ring-gai Council and Ku-ring-gai state MP Alister Henskens.

“Nearby residents are concerned that the local traffic will increase both during and after construction and become unsafe for residents and pedestrians including students,” Mr Henskens stated.

“The impact (on) the streetscape also concerns residents who feel that the scale and form of the building … does not respect the heritage streetscape.”

The project would cost $46 million.

Plans stated the childcare centre would largely accommodate children of staff who would already be travelling to the college, along with siblings of students attending the college.

The development would not involve any increase to the number of primary or senior students attending the college.

Plans show new teaching facilities incorporated into the project include junior school classrooms, science, technology, engineering and mathematics labs, along with health and wellbeing facilities and outdoor learning spaces.

A concept plan of the development

The dance studio would have a capacity for 750 pupils and the after hours school care service would have 150 places.

The school, in its plans, said the development would provide “essential educational facilities” that would meet the school’s current and future needs.

“The site is considered suitable for the proposed development as it allows for modern teaching and learning facilities,” the plans stated.

“(It will) support the ongoing evolution of the college in accordance with the needs of students, staff and the broader community.”

The Planning Department has recommended the application for approval but referred to the NSW Independent Planning Commission this week due to the number of submissions it attracted.

The North Shore Times contacted the college for further comment about the proposal but did not receive a response at the time of publication.