A small shopping centre behind Kirrawee High School will make way for a larger development, including a childcare centre, shops and apartments if council consent is given.
The development application (DA) has been opposed by nearby residents, one of whom submitted it hardly recognised any of the conditions attached to the approval of a 2007 development proposal, which did not proceed.
The latest proposal, lodged with Sutherland Shire Council, involves demolishing one-storey shops in Putland Close and building a two-storey shop top.
The ground floor would house a childcare centre to accommodate 27 children, with 17 places for 0-3 years and 10 places for 3-5 years.
The centre would operate between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Two other commercial / retail tenancies would also be located at ground level.
The upper storey would include four apartments, comprising one one-bedroom and three two-bedroom units.
The DA said the commercial units and childcare centre would use 10 existing parking spaces in Putland Close.
Four parking spaces at the rear would be allocated to the residential units.
In submissions to the DA, residents raised a range of concerns, including parking and traffic problems, the loss of views and privacy and the impact of noise and lighting.
One submission said Putland Place was already experiencing an overflow of parking from Kirrawee High School students.
The problem could worsen if school buildings were extended upwards, as was permitted in the 2015 local environmental plan, to cater for extra student numbers.
Another submission said traffic was already very heavy around the school during starting and finishing times.
Other residents said windows and balconies of the proposed development would “look straight into our living rooms and entertaining areas”.
“Additionally, we have a swimming pool under construction and the first floor of this development will have a direct view down on to the pool and surrounds,” the submission said.
