Three of eight Kiama Councillors declared their vehement opposition to the development application – a 460 square metre house on Minnamurra Lane to be built 39 metres from its closest neighbour.

Councillors Kathy Rice, Andrew Sloan and Neil Reilly believe the development sets a dangerous precedent for people living in rural zones.

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“Its location is dreadfully inappropriate,” Cr Reilly said.

“In approving this, we are failing to protect agricultural land.

“It is our responsibility to give people who want to live in a rural environment the felling that they’re living in a rural environment – 39m is well and truly in someone else’s face when you’re living in the country.

“We need to put a stop to it, it is in breach of council’s development control plan.”

Cr Rice echoed Cr Reilly’s sentiment.

“This big development will significantly constrain views of the adjacent property,” she said.

“It’s very uncharacteristic in terms of the streetscape.”

Councillor Warren Steel was the only representative to speak in favour of the plans, making a brief statement to commend the applicant on the thoroughness of the development application.

A majority of five councillors voted for the plans, approved on Tuesday.

For: Mark Honey, Mark Westhoff, Don Watson, Mark Way, Steel

Against: Sloan, Reilly, Rice

Absent: Matt Brown