Shire Christian School unveils basement carparking plans

A development proposal for a new basement car park at a Sutherland Shire school has revealed it has 200 more students enrolled than allowed.

Shire Christian School in Barden Ridge has unveiled plans for a new staff basement car park. Picture: Google Maps

A Sutherland Shire school that has been operating with 200 students more than its development approval permits is, after seven years, rectifying the discrepancy.

Shire Christian School, on Allies Road at Barden Ridge, seeks approval to increase its permissible student capacity to the level it is now operating at, as well as build a new $5.7 million basement car park for staff.

A development application submitted to Sutherland Shire Council last week has been referred to the Sydney South Planning Panel for assessment.

The school has prep to year 12 students and is independent, Protestant, non-denominational and coeducation, with 96 staff.

The current development consent conditions only allow for 750 students.

The proposal will make it permissible to have the 950 students currently enrolled and includes a condition for a maximum of 20 additional students, who will be accommodated in demountables and existing classrooms.

Shire Christian School, located on Allies Road at Barden Ridge, seeks approval to increase its permissible student capacity to the level it is currently operating at, as well as build a new basement car park for staff at a cost of $5.7 million. Picture: Google

During pre-development application discussions, council staff queried whether the increased student population of 30 per cent above the 750 allowable limit would require new buildings or classrooms.

In response, the school said it had been operating “normally” with 950 enrolments in its current facilities.

“The proposed increase in the permissible number of students to 970 is reflective of the current school operations, including for a buffer for an additional 20 students,” the report said.

“The increase of student number does not require further upgrades to the teaching facilities and can be accommodated within teaching facilities.

“No other changes to the school operations are proposed as the existing improvements are able to accommodate these student numbers.

“In the instance no further upgrades to the teaching facilities are made in the immediate future, the existing teaching facilities can continue to support a maximum student enrolment population of 970.”

The report noted future development applications would be required and lodged if upgrades to facilities were needed.

The proposal also includes plans for a new basement car park for 69 cars, two motorcycles and eight bicycles, and will require the excavation and landscaping of the existing school sports court located in the southeastern end of the site.

A development application submitted to Sutherland Shire Council last week has been referred to the Sydney South Planning Panel for assessment. Picture: Shire Christian School Facebook

The sports field will be re-established above the proposed basement car park.

“The reinstated sports field will operate like-for-like to the existing sports field and support a variety of outdoor recreational and sport activities,” the report said.

“The reinstated field will be supported by a new ball-catching mesh enclosure which will border the southern end of the reinstated field.

“This reinstated field will feature a standard sport field layout and the design of the proposed mesh enclosure will be typical for most sports fields.”

The school site has vehicular access from one entry gate and one separate exit gate fronting Allies Road which leads to a rear staff car park that accommodates 74 formal parking spaces and 20 informal spots.

Under the proposal, there will be a reduction of about 20 carparking spaces of informal parking at the northwest corner of the site, and removal of 12 car park spaces at the north east corner of the site.

There will be a total of 130 spaces – an addition of 36 spots altogether.

“The proposed basement carpark will cater for the existing 96 staff members while also providing adequate future proofing for any future growth envisaged under a potential future masterplan for the site,” the report said.

There will also be removal of six trees with 26 planted as replacements.