VCAT turns down appeal for another childcare centre in Armstrong Road, Heathmont
Neighbours are celebrating after a developer’s appeal to build a second childcare centre in a busy Heathmont street was refused by VCAT.
Outer East
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A neighbourhood campaign against a proposed childcare centre in a busy Heathmont street has been victorious, after VCAT knocked back the developers appeal.
The authority agreed with Maroondah Council’s decision to not grant a permit for the proposed centre at 18 Armstrong Rd on January 20.
Applicants Dymachild wanted to build an 88-capacity centre as well as cut down 11 trees for a 19-space carpark at the front.
The council refused a permit in March following 161 submissions and concerns over the centre’s impact on neighbourhood character.
Dymachild lodged an appeal with VCAT soon after and pitched a scaled-down centre with a smaller capacity of 72 places.
But VCAT affirmed the council’s decision following a two-day hearing in November.
In her report, member Cindy Wilson said she was concerned about the amount of “non-residential” elements already in the street, which already has a childcare centre at 13 Armstrong Rd.
“Although this street is not a pristine residential setting, I have concerns that the proposal will result in a cumulative negative impact on the residential aspect of the immediate area,” Ms Wilson wrote.
Lorraine Mortimer, who lives next to the proposed centre, said her house would have been isolated between the centre and the church if it went ahead.
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Ms Mortimer said she and other neighbours gathered more than 400 letters of support for the hearing.
“It (the centre) did not sit well within a residential area and that’s what the judges felt as well, there’s more than adequate commercial development in the street,” she said.
“We’re very happy and excited, we were just ordinary people going in there trying to do our best and we won.”
Meanwhile, things are finally moving forward for the childcare centre slated for the former Clean Zone car wash site.
Demolition and clearing works are taking place at 208-210 Canterbury Rd, which sold for $1.84 million in 2018.
The council approved a double-storey childcare centre with underground parking at the site in July.
Plans indicate the centre will be called Me For Kids and have five rooms to hold 94 children, along with 20 parking spots for visitors and staff.