The easement was proposed for the owners of the Royal Willows Hotel, Pambula and relates to an area of access in Merimbola St, Pambula, at the rear of the two hotel blocks.

The access is integral to the owners’ future plans, believed to be for a supermarket. The request for easement followed a developer’s planning meeting with council who advised rear access to the property would be necessary.

But Mr Buchanan questioned whether council should be giving the easement freely to the proposed developer.

“There are a number of concerns and they should alarm councillors. This is effectively gifting the land to the developer. The general manager claims it has no market value. We believe these claims are wrong,” Mr Buchanan told council.

“Granting easement will increase the value of land. By granting the easement council is less likely to reject the DA.

“Residents will be underwriting a developer whether it proceeds or not. It is improper that any ratepayer owned land has no value. This is giving away rateable land to a developer without getting a valuation,” Mr Buchanan said.

“There is considerable angst over the prospect of the DA in the community,” he added.

But councillor Russell Fitzpatrick said it was false to say council was giving it away.

“Council is giving a right of way,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.

Councillors agreed to defer the matter for a further report to include items raised in the address.