Tamworth Regional Council granted consent for the $8.25 million development to be built on a 1.7-hectare site at 17 Warwick Rd, during Tuesday night’s council meeting.

The development comprises 56 attached dwellings and two detached units, a community hall, swimming pool, bowling green, storage shed, 19 visitor car parking spaces, including two disabled car parking spaces, and a single carport for each dwelling.

Councillors took about 40 minutes to discuss the motion in which they echoed many of the concerns raised by Warwick Lindsay in his community consultation address.

Mr Lindsay, who spoke on behalf of Lee Bonarius of 18 Warwick Rd, suggested council further investigate the issue of garbage removal, footpaths and the overall aesthetic appeal of the project. 

“I believe this development, the finishes they are using are cheap and nasty, and I don’t say that in an unkind way. Every house in that area ... are all brick veneers with Colorbond roofs – substantial houses. In time it will downgrade the value of the area ... it is not befitting of what is there at all,” he said.

Other concerns identified included the impact of high-density housing on property values, stormwater detention, traffic impacts, possible effects on water pressure, construction issues, lack of services and operational issues.

Access to the site would be from Warwick Rd with the single access to the site being opposite Rosehill Pl.

A 1.8m-high masonry front entrance and open-style fence will be constructed across the Warwick Rd boundary of the site.

Cr Juanita Wilson said she felt “uncomfortable” approving the development application as the aesthetics and building materials “fall short” of the “precinct in which it’s embedded now”, but as it complies with all the relevant conditions, her hands were tied.

“I don’t feel entirely happy with this but feel I don’t have grounds for refusal,” she said.

Cr Warren Woodley disagreed with Cr Wilson, saying there was a market for low-cost housing.