A planning application has been given the green light for a retirement village in Torquay.
A report to the council recommended the Shire grant the permit for Cypress Lane for the controversial proposal.
The developers have proposed to build 196 single-storey independent units and three apartment buildings comprising of 16 one-bedroom apartments and 60 two-bedroom apartments.
More than 300 car parking spaces were also proposed.
The report also recommended some native vegetation be removed for the development.
However, locals were concerned about the development and the environmental impacts.
Surf Coast councillors were split 4-4 on the proposal during their meeting on Tuesday night.
Mayor Liz Pattison made the second vote to approve the permit.
However she told the meeting she did not make the decision lightly.
“I know that there will be some in the community that’ll be personally disappointed by my decision to support this motion with my casting vote,” Cr Pattison said.
“I invite you to understand that I make this decision balancing the needs of the community, and the environment and in context of the limitations of our planning scheme.”
