An 84-place childcare centre, with a largely internal playground, has been approved for South Village, Kirrawee.
The facility, to be operated by Montessori Academy, will be located in a commercial tenancy on the ground floor of building B, facing Princes Highway.
A much earlier application for a childcare centre inside the shopping centre on the former brick pit site was withdrawn.
Sutherland Shire Council approved the latest development application (DA), with the fitout of the centre expected to cost more than $900,000.
It will provide separate facilities for 24 children aged 0-2 years, and for 20 children in each of the following age groups, 2-3 years, 3-4 years and 5-6 years.
The DA said Montessori Academy operated a similar childcare centre in the East Village development in Zetland "where an internalised playground was previously approved".
"Whilst part of the playground area is internal to the building, it has been designed to meet the 'simulated outdoor space' requirements of the Child Care Planning Guideline with all the features and experiences and qualities of a outdoor space," the DA said.
The application said the design of the playground:
- Has more access to natural light and ventilation than required for an internal space through an entirely glazed northern side elevation to enable views of trees, views of the sky and clouds and movement outside the facility; and
- Will include a combination of different floor types and textures, including wooden decking, pebbles, mounds, ridges, grass, bark and artificial grass, to mimic the uneven surfaces of an outdoor environment.
- Specifically, the playground will provide a sand pit, furniture made of logs and stepping logs, dense indoor planting, walking and vegetable gardens and gardening tubs."
The DA said the playground area was located along the northern and eastern side of the commercial tenancy.
"The northern side and part of the eastern side have full height glazing, whilst the remainder of the eastern elevation is a perforated screen to allow ventilation and the southern elevation is fixed open louvres to also allow natural ventilation."
The DA said an accompanying acoustic report demonstrated the combination of fixed and open facades was sufficient to ensure acceptable noise levels were maintained within the playground area.
An air quality assessment found indicative background levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, airborne particulate matter, lead and benzene at the site were substantially lower than state government guidelines, the DA said.
"Notwithstanding this, the proposal provides a precautionary approach in relation to air quality in that ventilation does not occur from the Princes Highway facade," the DA said.
There will be seven designated 15-minute spaces for parents to drop-off and pick up children.
