A CONTROVERSIAL development application to extend the FoodWorks grocer and car park has been approved five votes to four by Uralla Shire Council.
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The supermarket DA approval will see the retail space extended by 547m2 and provide an additional 34 car parks on site.
It had received a number of submissions from the community and Uralla Historical Society who felt the "bulky" look of the proposal would impact the facade of the main street.
The development would see the existing roof design modified to fix water damage issues, but the existing facade would remain relatively untouched.
Uralla Historical Society president Louis van Ekert said he was disappointed with the decision given the community had worked hard to preserve Uralla's heritage.
"The decision by council to support this unsympathetic development went against the advice of esteemed heritage professionals and Uralla's own heritage advisor and will come at a social and economic cost," he said.
"The whole community has benefited economically from the careful preservation of Bridge Street and we fear that this sets a dangerous decline in standards and puts more than 200 items in the Local Environment Plan since 2013 at risk."
The Leader contacted Uralla Shire Council for comment, but it did not respond before this story went to press.
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A report to council stated that the proposed development was consistent with development controls for the area and that there was no valid planning reason to refuse the application.
A group of 21 people who came to see the outcome of the proposal were initially refused entry into the council meeting on Tuesday, after they were told the decision and debate would not be available online.
A couple of representatives from both the historical society and the developer were eventually allowed in.
The DA was scheduled for decision earlier this month, but it was deferred due to some councillors' requests for more information.