CONSTRUCTION on the Alstonville Community Preschool building can now begin after the development application for the Crawford Park site was approved by Ballina council at yesterday's meeting.

Preschool committee president Katherine Buckley said work would hopefully begin before Christmas.

The Alstonville Community Preschool was formed in November 2010 after the Alstonville Baptist Community Preschool was closed and has been operating out of the temporary Amaze 'n' Place site since February this year.

A total of 39 submissions were made objecting to the Crawford Park site based on parking and traffic issues, possible flooding, loss of green space and potential noise complaints.

However the DA was approved 7/3 with most councillors agreeing the same objections would arise at the alternative Coral St location and that the Crawford Park site was more appropriate.

Councillors commended the preschool's efforts in having raising $47,000 towards the project on their own.

The preschool has also fundraised $17,000 for works on the current site.