The proposal has an overall activity status of a Non-Complying activity. The thrust of this assessment was to demonstrate that this proposal satisfied the relevant Objectives and Policies of the District Plan and Proposed Plan; that any adverse effects on the environment associated with this proposal were less than minor and that Council could therefore consent to the application on a non-notified basis.

The childcare centre has been designed to cater for the various needs of children based upon their age in accordance with the Ministry of Educations’ Early Childhood Education requirements. The childcare centre at present caters for 34 children up to the age of 5 and operates Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm as per the Consent of 23 August 1991.

The proposal included the provision to increase its maximum child occupancy from 34 to 60. The proposed layout also included an increase to the floor area.

21 car parking spaces are available to the front of the site inclusive of one (1) accessible space. Of the 21 car parks, 7 are allocated for staff with the remainder being reserved for the childcare centre clients. All spaces are conventional in design and meet current design standards.