Wingecarribee Shire Councillors debated for more than an hour whether the two-storey development that will consist of four three-bedroom apartments, should be built on Orchid Street Colo Vale.

The area is currently zoned under R2 low density residential.

Resident Jasmine Talbert said she was disappointed in the council's decision to approve the seniors living development and felt that the concerns of the residents were not heard or dealt with.

"It was really disheartening," she said.

"The justification regarding tax payers money [if it goes to Land and Environment Court] is not good enough.

"It's an eyesore and it's over development.

"It's a shame that the village of Colo Vale isn't enough to stop the development, it will change the face of the village."

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Karl Batshon who spoke at the council meeting on July 10, listed a range of reasons as to why the development shouldn't go ahead including the bulk and size of the infrastructure in accordance with the development control plan for the Northern Villages and lack of public transport options in Colo Vale.

"Increase our infrastructure, fix our transport but as it stands now, our small rural village cannot accommodate seniors of this magnitude," he said.

Developer Joshua Graham said that design from the outset was to offer seniors living units to those who wanted to downsize in the area.

"The applicants would be over 55's that would not want to necessarily maintain their larger properties or maybe not capable [of maintaining their current property] and would prefer to have a more manageable living space within their current location." he said.

"While senior development is permitted in the zone, there is no accommodation for this growing demographic in the area and this development would offer and diverse range of housing."

An amendment was put forward by Councillor Whipper during the course of the debate, which would've asked Mr Graham to resubmit amended plans to reduce the bulk and scale of the development to a single story.

The amendment was put to a vote and lost.

Councillors then voted on the motion to recommend the approval of the senior living development.

The application was approved with Mayor Gair, and councillors Nelson, Andrews, Markwart and Turland voting for the motion.

Councillors Scandrett, Halstead, Whipper and McLaughlin voted against the motion.

Colo Vale Resident Jasmine Talbert said that the residents were planning to meet and discuss their legal options.