HUNDREDS of residents have objected to plans to build a childcare centre on Overport Road.
The planned childcare facility would be situated at 137 Overport Road in Frankston South. A previous childcare proposal for the site was knocked back by VCAT last year.
There have been 278 objections submitted to Frankston Council about the proposal. Council held a meeting last week to hear from residents.
The childcare centre is proposed to be allowed to run from Monday to Friday, 6.30am to 6.30pm. It can cater for a maximum of 95 children and 16 staff at any one time.
The centre is expected to include six playrooms, a kitchen, reception, meeting rooms, bathrooms, laundry, and an office. An outdoor play area will be located along the western and southern boundaries of the site if it is approved.
The proposed building will be just over six metres in height. It will have a minimum front setback of just under 17.9 metres to Overport Road, just under 7.5 metres to Fontayne Court, and 4 metres to the southern boundary adjoining 139 Overport Road. A 21 space car park is proposed to be located on the eastern side of the centre.
The plans include some amendments from those rejected by VCAT in 2020. The maximum number of children the centre can care for has been reduced from 116 to 95. The number of car spaces has also been reduced, from 25 to 21. When the application was made to council for the amended plans, a group of residents banded together to voice their opposition. One resident told The Times “this end of the street is still really calm, silent, and peaceful, and we want to keep it that way” (“Childcare centre proposed”, The Times, 17/8/21).
There are 35 trees on the site, five of which will have to be removed to make way for the building. The protection zones of six trees will be encroached by the buildings and works.
The project is projected to cost $1.5 million. A decision on whether a permit should be approved for the developer will be considered by council at a later date.
