Plans by a second Auckland-based daycare operator to expand into St Clair, Dunedin, have run into opposition from upset residents concerned about the noise.
Minitor Holdings Ltd has applied for land-use consent to develop a Bear Park early child care facility at 10 and 12 Hobson St, catering for up to 60 children aged between 6 months and 5 years.
However, neighbours are divided, with some arguing the centre would be noisy, create traffic congestion problems and further concentrate the city's daycare facilities in South Dunedin.
In April, another Auckland-based firm, Little Wonders Childcare, was granted resource consent to develop a child care centre in St Kilda, accommodating up to 100 children under 5.
The proposed Bear Park centre would operate between 7.30am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, and employ up to eight staff in an existing home converted to accommodate the business.
Minitor director Chris Cole told the Dunedin City Council hearings committee yesterday Black Bear operated 10 centres in Auckland, seven of which were franchised, but was looking to expand into southern markets.
The proposal - considered a discretionary activity in the residential setting - attracted 41 submissions, 23 opposing the development and 18 in support.
Minitor counsel Phil Page said the facility was based on the premise that children should be cared for in the community in which they lived.
However, Hobson St resident Charlotte Merriman argued the "quite expensive" facility would be used by families from more affluent areas, such as Roslyn and Maori Hill, and should be built there instead.
Nearby residents, many of whom were older and without children, would be unlikely to use the centre, she believed.
"You are going to have to come across from the Maori Hill and Roslyn area where the higher salaries are," she said.
"That's going to cause huge problems for transportation."
Hobson St resident Stephen Rodger, whose property adjoins the proposed site, said he would likely be forced to move if the centre went ahead, to escape noise from the children playing.
Independent commissioner David Cull, who is also a city councillor, and Cs Richard Walls and Fliss Butcher, hearing the application, were expected to release a written decision soon.
