The development application was lodged almost 12 months ago and the plans were later revised.

The approval paves the way for the construction of 16 three-bedroom units and associated earthworks, driveways and parking at 91 The Ruins Way.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council granted consent to the DA for multi-dwelling housing and strata subdivision.

A report to the May council meeting said the site was considered suitable for the proposed development and the proposal adequately addressed relevant planning controls.

Some 33 submissions were originally received with an six additional written submissions in response to the re-exhibition of the amended application.

The development's two-storey nature were among the residents' concerns.

Issues raised included the development being out of character with predominantly single-storey precinct, loss of privacy, impacts on wildlife and traffic congestion.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann said there were many objections to the development application, and in an ideal world, the council would be welcome to refuse a development which caused such angst to the neighbours.

But nevertheless, she said, the council had a responsibility to apply the rules and to make a determination according to those rules.

Mayor Peta Pinson put forward an amendment in a bid for the application to be refused.

Cr Pinson said the community was concerned about the new infill development proposals and the potential for these to change their way of living and have an adverse impact on the established character of a neighbourhood in so many instances.

She said the people against this particular development were not against development but they were telling the council that this development did not belong in this neighbourhood.

Cr Pinson told the meeting if the council was taken to the Land and Environment Court and lost, it could say to the community that the council stood up for their rights and lost.

Cr Sharon Griffiths said there was no reason for the development application not to be approved.

Cr Geoff Hawkins said he had some sympathy with some of the points raised by Cr Pinson but the council's function in the chamber tonight [May 19] was not to rewrite the rules which this DA or any other DA was being assessed.

"That is a different job," he said.

The mayor's amendment was lost.

Instead, the councillors approved the DA subject to conditions.

The mayor cast the sole vote in opposition to granting development consent.

Cr Intemann said she did not believe the council could have any hope of succeeding if the matter went to the Land and Environment Court.

The deputy mayor said the second part of the motion indicated the direction the council was taking in a broader sense.

The council noted that the draft Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Housing Strategy recommends that council develop local character statements and/or place-specific controls for specific areas throughout the local government area.

That is in order to preserve the unique character of specific areas and ensure new and infill development does not adversely impact on the desired established character of a particular street, or neighbourhood, or area.

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