By Oscar Parry
A proposed childcare centre in Gisborne has raised concerns around loss of amenity, with residents worried about a potential increase in traffic, noise and road safety issues.
A planning permit application lodged with Macedon Ranges in May is currently under assessment for the use and development of land at 66 Howey Street, Gisborne, as a childcare centre.
According to advertised documents, the proposed centre will accommodate 116 children and 21 staff, with 25 off-street parking spaces.
Nearby resident Rebecca Rowlands said she is concerned about increased traffic and potential pedestrian safety hazards on the road if staff and parents need to use street parking.
“There are a lot of young families, elderly people, a lot of people who use the road without footpaths,” Ms Rowlands said.
“There are a lot of kids who walk there without adults, including my son, and there is a lot of congestion around school pick up and drop off. If there are cars parked outside and along the sides of the road, there is going to be more obstruction for view.“
Fellow local Tracey Button said she is concerned about increased noise and the proximity of the proposed centre to other homes.
“The thing that will destroy me is the noise and they propose that they’re going to put up a two-metre-high paling fence and that’s going to stop the noise,” Ms Button said.
“Six houses are within three metres of that fence … or less … I have a full glass sliding window floor to ceiling and my bedrooms next to that, and that building will be less than three metres from those children.
“I’m not anti-childcare centre, I’m just anti it being in the place that it is because there are so many issues that affect so many different people from families through to the elderly … the ratio of people who are going to be affected by that one property is huge.”
According to Ms Button, there are nine existing centres in the area, many with vacancies, and another four centres have been either approved or are being built.
Macedon Ranges planning and environment acting director Rob Ball said the plan remains under assessment and no decision has been made.
“It is important to note that it is not appropriate for council to provide public opinion on any planning permit application that remains under assessment,” Mr Ball said.
“Council officers will be meeting with the applicant to discuss any concerns raised and if there are opportunities to respond to these concerns. Should design changes be required, the application may need to be readvertised,” he said.
A spokesperson for the planning company, Jacksons Planning, said the company is unable to comment as it has not yet formally received or viewed residents’ objections.
