Childcare centre gets the nod

A CHILDCARE centre can be built next to a Manifold Heights church after getting the green light from Victoria’s planning tribunal.

A council planning panel rejected the $3 million proposal last July, despite officers recommending that the Guardian Early Learning Group complex be approved.

That decision was reversed this week after a legal appeal, paving the way for the centre to be built next to the heritage- listed Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Bostock Ave.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) found in favour of the development, which the council had refused due to concerns about traffic, car parking and public safety.

“The concerns raised by the council and the objectors about car parking are not substantiated,” VCAT senior member Laurie Hewet said.

“It is clear that the existing street network and available car parking resources are sufficient to accommodate the proposed significant impacts.”

The centre is allowed to host up to 110 children.

It is expected to have 23 staff and operate on weekdays between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

The proposal, by the Roman Catholic Trusts Corporation, had earlier received 18 objections.

Public anger about congestion in the area, which contains a primary school and mosque, was amplified by the reduction of provided car parking from 24 spaces to 16. use without or unacceptable