VCAT rejects failed application for childcare centre at Dorset Rd and Lindisfarne Ave in Croydon
A passionate group of Croydon neighbours have stopped a childcare centre going ahead which they feared would cause traffic chaos in the street.
Outer East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Outer East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
People power has prevailed in Croydon after VCAT rejected a permit for a childcare centre on a quiet street.
Dorset Childcare Centre Pty Ltd wanted to knock down two houses on the corner of Lindisfarne Ave and Dorset Rd to build a 120-capacity centre with 25 on-site parking spaces.
Maroondah Council rejected the application on October 31 and the developers lodged an appeal with VCAT shortly after — offering to reduce their capacity by 11 students.
A three-day hearing took place from May 27 to 29 and the tribunal upheld the council’s decision in its verdict on July 18.
Tribunal member Tracey Bilston-McGillen said the proposal had “many positive aspects” but she had concerns about the centre’s acoustics and its impact on neighbourhood character.
“The scale and appearance, particularly due to the open car park, introduces a commercial building on a road that is primarily residential,” she said.
“I find that the proposal as it presents to Dorset Rd and Lindisfarne Ave fails to respect the character of the area.”
MORE: CHILDCARE TO BOOM IN HEATHMONT
BARCLAYS CAFE SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN
VOTE FOR MELBOURNE’S BEST CHILDCARE EDUCATOR
A Lindisfarne Ave Residents Group spokeswoman, who declined to be named, said the outcome was a reward for the hard work neighbours did preparing their case.
“We proved that the developer does not always win at VCAT and residents stand a reasonable chance of success if they do their homework and are prepared to fight,” they said.
Meanwhile, another rejected childcare centre application will be contested at the tribunal in November.
The council refused a permit for a single-storey, 88-capacity centre at 18 Armstrong Rd in late April, which received 161 objections.
The applicant has applied to have the decision overturned and the tribunal will hold a two-day hearing from November 13.