Council voted at its meeting today, May 26, to approve the development which will see the demolition, construction of a service station and installation of business identification signage at 19-23 Gaskill Street, Canowindra.

Canowindra councillors Anthony Durkin and Cheryl Newsom spoke against the proposal during the meeting.

Cr Ian Davison moved the application be approved and spoke for it proceeding.

"It's an investment of about 1.5 million dollars, well researched and reported on by council staff, a very thorough report, in fact you'd wonder when you go through all the requirements why anyone would go into business in Australia," cr Davison said.

"We shouldn't let this slide like we have with the retirement village, one of the great tragedies in my council life is that going backwards.

"(Canowindra is) a wonderful village with heritage features and I don't think this development does anything to take away from the village.

"This deveopment will do so much good for the town," Cr Davison said.

Speaking against the development Cr Anthony Durkin told the meeting: "It's just my personal opinion I don't believe think a business or building of this nature would fit in the design frame of the historic main street.

"I'm also speaking on behalf of those who have spoken against the DA over time," he said.

Cr Jenny Weaver said she would vote for the development to be approved.

"The staff have covered every contingency. It's more welcoming than what is there at the moment, what is there at the moment is an eyesore.

"It could employ people of Canowindra and be a convenience.

"I cannot see a problem I know it is a contemporary building but there are other contemporary buildings there and I can't see how it will conflict," Cr Weaver said.

Cr Cheryl Newsom spoke against the development citing it as being "out of character".

"The main street is identified as the essential component of what Canowindra stands for," she said.

"It is quite a modern building located between two residential premises and I believe is going to be out of character and not fit within the confines of what Gaskill Street has been set up for.

"I'm concerned about the traffic, if there are big trucks coming will they continue down Gaskill Street or is there to be a traffic diversion down Ryall Street impacting on residents along Ryall Street."

Cr Newsom said ratepayers were not given enough time on the last occasion to comment on the development.

"I agree with Cr Durkin in that I will not be supporting this DA," she said.

Cr Batten told the meeting the report before it pointed out the proposed demolition at the site would have no impact on the heritage value of the street.

Council voted to approved the development eight to two with Cr Newsome and Durkin those to vote against the development.

Cr Kevin Walker declared an interest in the matter and left the meeting prior to deliberations.