Plans by a second Auckland-based daycare operator to expand into St Clair, Dunedin, have been approved following a resource consent hearing.
Minitor Holdings Ltd has been granted land-use consent to develop the Bear Park early child care centre at 10 and 12 Hobson St, catering for up to 60 children aged between 6 months and 5 years.
Neighbours, citing concerns about the noise, traffic congestion and the concentration of daycare facilities in South Dunedin, objected to the development plan during a hearing in Dunedin in September.
The proposal was before hearings committee chairman Cr Richard Walls, Cr Fliss Butcher and independent commissioner Dave Cull, who is also a city councillor.
It attracted 41 submissions, 23 opposing and 18 in support.
The hearings committe's written decision, signed by chairman Cr Walls, said the district plan allowed for daycare facilities in residential zones, as long as effects - such as noise - could be adequately mitigated.
Conditions of the consent included a requirement for 1.8m to 2.2m-high acoustic fencing along the properties' side and rear boundaries to shield neighbours from noise, and a noise management plan during construction.
Neighbours had complained the "quite expensive" facility would be used by families from more affluent suburbs, such as Roslyn and Maori Hill, and should be built there instead.
However, the decision said it was "beyond the prerogative of council" to manage the supply of child care facilities, regardless of demand.
"The committee recognises that there will be a change within the receiving environment as a result of the proposed activity being undertaken.
"However, the effects are considered to be acceptable and of a nature anticipated to occur within the residential zone."
In April, Auckland-based business Little Wonders Childcare was granted resource consent to develop a child care centre in neighbouring St Kilda, accommodating up to 100 children under 5.
Minitor Holdings staff could not be reached for comment yesterday.
