A PROPOSAL for a new childcare centre on Guildford’s Fauntleroy Street has raised community concerns regarding the required removal of mature gums on the property as part of its development.

The newest proposal has been lodged to the joint development assessment panel (JDAP) following an earlier proposal which was rejected by City of Swan council.

The newest proposal was able to bypass council and go directly to JDAP due to the project’s cost being over $2 million and under $10m.

An earlier proposal for a childcare centre there put forward in 2021 was refused by the council due to a five-bay parking shortfall.

In 2022, developers then put to council an application to build two single houses that retained the six mature flooded gums on the site, which was approved.

The decision led to the demolition of the site’s historic worker’s cottage in December 2022 in preparation for the development of the approved single dwellings.

Since the demolition of the cottage, developers have not built the single dwellings but instead have applied for a new childcare centre to be built on the cleared site.

Guildford recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of successfully preserving its gum trees on October 12 as reported in Guildford’s gums in the magical spotlight.

The Guildford Association organised a snap rally on October 18 to discuss the issue with residents.

Guildford Association president Claire Scanlan said the council should submit a recommendation to JDAP to reject the newest proposal as it still left concerns unaddressed.

“In our view, the currently approved plans for two single dwellings should proceed and the proposal for childcare premises in this location should be rejected,” she said.

“The plans for a 67-place childcare facility will see the trees destroyed and the new proposal still shows a (two-bay) parking shortfall, which will lead to traffic banking up on narrow Fauntleroy Street during peak drop-off time, impairing the function of the road and impacting residents of the street.

“The road is not wide enough to allow the flow of two-way traffic, if cars are queuing or parking on the street.

“Anyone who has tried turning onto James Street from Fauntleroy during peak hour will also know immediately the traffic implications this development will bring.”

City of Swan Mayor Tanya Richardson said the city heard the concerns and was considering making a formal recommendation to JDAP regarding the development.

“The City of Swan is meeting with the proponent of the proposed childcare centre on Fauntleroy Street in Guildford to discuss community concerns about native tree removal,” she said.

“The development application has been advertised for public comment and will be presented to council at the next ordinary council meeting on December 11.

“Council may make a formal recommendation on the application to the joint development assessment panel.”