Development proposal for a $6.9 million Aspect school at Cardiff Heights
With increased demand for aspect services, a development application has been lodged for a brand new specialised school at Cardiff Heights. Read all the details.
Newcastle
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There’s plans for a former Lake Macquarie nursing home to be demolished and a brand new specialised school to be put in its place.
With increased demand for aspect services and rapid population growth across parts of the Hunter, Autism Spectrum Australia has lodged a development application to build a new junior primary school catering for kids on the autism spectrum at Cardiff Heights.
The former BUPA nursing home on Harrisons Lane, which was built in the 80s, has had approval granted for it to be demolished, with a proposal for the construction of a $6.9 million new school on the site.
The two-storey development, which would cater for up to 80 students from kindergarten to year six, would include 12 general learning areas, a library/hall and outdoor learning area.
The proposal also details the inclusion of eight distance education rooms which would have the capacity to cater for additional students via online learning.
“Aspect are bringing this autism spectrum school to Cardiff to cater for a growing need in the community,” a report by EJE Architecture said.
“The Aspect schools offer small class sizes and directed teaching to autism students on the site, and in addition are providing outreach for students across the state by providing distance education.”
A planner said the development presented positive social impacts for the future of the community and employment in the construction and operation of the facility.
“Rapid population growth and associated increase in demand for Aspect services has resulted in the majority of existing schools operating at full capacity, which has led to the need for additional services,” they said.
“Aspect seek the development of a state of the art facility on the site at Harrisons Lane to address the underlying demand for Aspect services in the Greater Newcastle and upper Lake Macquarie regions.
“The SIA (social Impact Assessment) identified limited potentially negative social impacts related to noise generation in the construction and operation of the proposed school. Noise impacts generated in the construction of the facility will be short term and can be controlled through conditions of consent.”
The new proposed school would also be seen to generate positive economic benefits locally.
“The proposed school, which provides specialist school programs for children with autism, is an important use within the community,” another planner said.
“The use of the site for the purpose of providing for the educational needs of students with autism and delivering further employment opportunities is in the public interest.”
The development, which is under consent authority of the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel, is currently on exhibition until January 13.
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