One School (Multi Purpose Hall DA)

This development application sought approval to demolish an existing dwelling and school building and construct a new multi purpose school hall at 249 & 251 to257 Dalton Street and 68 to 72 Bletchington Street, Orange. The application was lodged by MET, Orange Campus Pty Ltd, as trustee for the Orange Education Trust, for the ongoing operation of OneSchool Global NSW, Orange Campus.

The consolidated site comprised approximately 1.11 hectares across Dalton and Bletchington Streets and was located within the R1 General Residential Zone under the Orange LEP 2011. Although educational establishments are otherwise prohibited in this zone, the proposal was permissible with consent under SEPP (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021, which enables school development in prescribed residential zones. The site was not flood affected, bushfire prone, heritage listed, or environmentally constrained.

The proposal involved construction of a new multi purpose hall containing a full sized basketball court, portable stage area, storage rooms, canteen, amenities, foyer, and a mezzanine storage level. The building incorporated a 2 metre acoustic wall along the western boundary to protect residential amenity. Six on site parking spaces, including one accessible space, were provided. Stormwater management included on site detention and design for overland flow conveyance.

Key issues assessed included traffic and parking, acoustic impacts, stormwater and flooding, built form, and compliance with SEPP design quality principles. The SEE found that the development would not increase student or staff numbers, would not generate unacceptable noise or traffic impacts, and was compatible with the surrounding residential context. The stormwater design ensured no adverse flooding effects, and the building's form, setbacks and materials were appropriate for the locality.

The assessment concluded that the proposal was consistent with relevant planning controls, environmentally acceptable, and in the public interest, supporting improved educational facilities for the school community.