Modifications to the design got the green light at Wednesday night’s Port Macquarie-Hastings Council meeting.

Orion on the Beach, bounded by William, Lord and Church streets, will contain a mix of residential units and serviced apartments, with ground floor commercial space and basement car parking.

Key aspects of the modification proposal included an increase of three units to a total of 77 units, an increase in basement parking spaces and staging of construction.

Councillors had to weigh up whether the amended proposal was substantially the same as the approved development.

They decided it was.

Councillors heard concerns from Don McRae and Douglas Heagney, who spoke against the modification proposal, and Michelle Love who spoke in favour of the application.

Mr McRae outlined privacy concerns and said legal opinion should be provided to the council on many aspects of the proposal.

Ms Love told the council she believed all the requirements had been addressed in the application.

The council received four public submissions.

Cr Rob Turner said he believed the modifications did represent a development that was substantially the same, and for those reasons, while he did have some sympathy for the SeaWatch building residents, he believed the council’s hands were tied.

Mayor Peter Besseling said he acknowledged the speakers’ concerns.

He said the council had received legal opinion and he was satisfied the evidence showed it was substantially the same development.

Grosvenor Capital owns the site with BDM Constructions appointed as the project builder.

Grosvenor Capital’s Jonathon McKenzie said finally, Port Macquarie would see this magnificent site's potential realised and the design and consultation process afforded to the project ensured Orion on the Beach would be a quality development offering excellent amenity and overall serviceability.

BDM Constructions managing director Brad Maggs said they would like to thank the council, and in particular its planning department, for its professional approach to working through the section 96 approval in a consultative and progressive manner to ensure the best outcome for the community.

The development will have a significant economic impact with Grosvenor Capital committed to ensure many of the costs associated with constructing the building are sourced locally.

BDM Constructions and Nationwide Property Brokers are injecting funds into local businesses and providing job security for many locals.