Mayor Peter Blackmore used his casting vote at a meeting this week to approve the shed for a property on 303 Morpeth Road, Raworth.

Applicant Brayden Dark told councillors during public access, he was building the shed to house motor vehicles and boats.

Mr Dark said he had been backwards and forwards several times to council with his application to ensure all concerns from neighbours had been addressed.

At a meeting last month, councillors voted against a staff recommendation to approve a shed behind 290 and 292 Morpeth Road, Raworth.

Applicant David Murdoch planned building a 25 metre shed backing onto residential houses that line Morpeth Road prompting strong objection from residents who did not want the development near their back fences.

Councillors rejected the application after Cr Bob Geoghegan put forward a diverse range of reasons (everything from drainage to visual impact) for refusal and his motion was supported.

Cr Robert Aitchison moved Mr Dark’s application be approved. He said there has been a lot of negotiation between Mr Dark and council and many adjustments made to his application. Cr Aitchison said issues raised by neighbours about storm water have been addressed and said that the drainage will be “enhanced” by the development.

Cr Peter Garnham said he understood neighbours’ concerns.

“But I am of the belief that every man can do on his land what they are allowed to do and this is allowed,” Cr Garnham said.

Cr Loretta Baker voted against the application and said the development was “warehouse style” for storage. “Why not rent a storage unit,” she said.