The controversial Parson Street development was approved by the SCC Development Committee, despite it being 46 per cent above the standard allowed height.

At Tuesday night’s council meeting support was withdrawn for the March 14 decision to vary the region’s height limit.

This matter was brought to council through a rescission motion by Cr Proudfoot, Cr Guile and Cr Kitchener.

On further consideration council determined it would not support the variation to location’s height limit policy and that the 7.5 metre limit would stand.

The Parson Street development, complete with an underground car park, was designed to reach a maximum height of 11 metres, 3.5 metres higher than regulation.

“Council has listened to the feedback received from the community about the decision made on March 14,” Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley said.

“The community clearly told council they wanted the rules to be adhered to and the policy which had been developed with the community to be supported.

“Council has now been mindful to respect the process that was undertaken in the development of the Local Environmental Plan and the Development Control Plan.

“This was an extensive process and involved a lot of community consultation and discussion.”

Council acknowledged the proposed height limit was too excessive in the proposed location and the existing policy should be upheld. 

Council noted the merits of the proposal and found the design of the building appealing.

Cr Findley said the views of the community needed to be taken into account. 

“Council staff will communicate the decision to not support a variation to the existing height limit policy to the developer,” she said. 

“Staff will explain the need for the development to meet the 7.5 metre height limit that currently stands within this location.

“The developer will be provided time to consider their options prior to the application being determined. They will also be advised of the proposed review to be undertaken in this location.”

Cr Findley said as a region the Shoalhaven needed to be seen as supporting “appropriate” development.

“We support tourism and economic improvements, but we also want to listen to our community and what they want for their future,” she said.

“We want to continue this conversation and will therefore also undertake a review of the height limits in the B5 and R3 zones south of Deering Street.”

It is expected the review will be carried out within the next six months.

The review will allow the community to have its say about height limits in this area.