Plans to build an early childhood centre in Mornington have been approved despite concerns from neighbours.
The council's hearings committee, in a written decision, granted consent for the development at 66 Springhill Rd, saying such facilities added to a ''vibrant community''.
The decision, dated October 8 and released last week, followed a consent hearing held last month.
The facility would offer a Monday to Friday Montessori-based education programme for up to 24 children, aged 2-5.
That was a small increase on earlier numbers, which indicated the facility would cater for ''up to 20 children'' initially.
The decision came despite opposition from some neighbours, including Nathan Watt, and Sam and William Cockerill, who lived opposite the site.
They had worried the presence of the new childhood centre would ''greatly detract'' from the area's residential character, adding to noise and traffic in the street and disrupting their sleep.
The area was already home to the Mornington Kindergarten and Mornington Presbyterian Community Centre nearby, which ''cannot be seen or heard'', they argued.
Another neighbour, Vivian Pullar, had argued traffic generated by the facility would add to problems with an already ''dangerous'' intersection in the area.
However, the committee sided with the developer, Mary Wijesinghe, saying her proposal was consistent with district plan rules, and traffic and noise concerns could be addressed.
A condition of consent would see the site surrounded by a continuous, close-boarded fence, of 1.4m-1.6m in height, which would help prevent any noise problems.
Parents using the facility would also be given a leaflet explaining optimal pick-up and drop-off times, parking restrictions and advice.
