The development application, lodged by ROI Branxton Development Corporation Pty. Ltd., sets out a retail supermarket, liquour store and a number of specialty shops.

Off street car parking for 229 cars is proposed on one level underneath the supermarket.

The proposed trading hours are from 7am to midnight seven days.

Council voted 10-2 in favour of the development with Greens councillors James Ryan and ward councillor, Chris Parker opposing the plan. Another ward councillor, Cr. Allan McCudden excused himself from the chamber after declaring a non-pecuniary significant interest in the matter.

Cr. Parker said a full economic impact statement had not been prepared and the design would detract, rather than enhance the heritage of the area.

He said history shows that when a single, large supermarket exists the competition (other retailers) is obliterated. He said people want a supermarket but not where it is planned.

He said council would be “killing off” Branxton if it allowed the supermarket to go ahead. “The whole central business will disappear.”

Cr. James Ryan said Branxton has a heritage listed landscape and while it may be dressed up, the supermarket is still a box (in design).

Deputy mayor, Cr. Ian Olsen, said a development like the supermarket must be positioned in the CBD area. If they are built on the outskirts of a town that draw people away from the retail centre. Other businesses can feed of it, he added.

He said development like that planned for Branxton also provide employment opportunities.

Cr. Graham Smith also supported the plan, saying that while he appreciated some of the concerns, council has always had a policy of providing ways to prevent escape spending. He said the impact on the community will be outweighed by far by the economic boost for the town.

(The developer estimates Branxton loses $17 million a year in escape spending to other towns).

Cr. Neil Gorman said that he has always been concerned about traffic in the area and while he conceded there could be some teething problems, he envisaged these would be alleviated when the F3 link is constructed.