The group is made up of a wide representation of the Bega Valley community and business leaders.

At the council chambers on Tuesday, a decision was to be made on which incarnation of consultant Ted Dexter’s Littleton Gardens master plan would be put forward by the council for public consultation.

However, in keeping with the vibe from the earlier council meeting – where the controversial Eden wood pellet plant was approved – the gathering wasn’t without its conflict.

Business leaders, including Mal Barnes and Chris Maxsted from the Bega Valley Chamber of Commerce, were vehemently opposed to the plan that appeared in the BDN just before Christmas with its trimming of car parking spaces.

Mr Dexter came to Tuesday night’s meeting armed with a number of revised options, with the chamber begrudgingly supporting an overall loss of 24 car spaces in the increased “green space” and public outdoor areas.

However, the positioning of 16 of these car spaces on the eastern side of Littleton Gardens was questioned by other group members and the overwhelming majority voted for “Plan C” – a revision that did away with these spots in favour of five more metres of green space and a safer transition from the gardens to the roadside.

“There’s always a challenge when space is at a premium,” Mr Dexter said.

“But I’m happy with whatever everyone else is happy with.

“My job is to provide guidance.

“If their wishes move in a better direction, I’m to provide better options.”

Mr Dexter is currently in the process of refining his plan based on Tuesday’s meeting’s feedback for presentation to the council.

Mayor Tony Allen said the group’s decision would form part of a report that will come before the council at its meeting on February 28.

The council will then have to determine whether the plan is accepted and subsequently put on public display for 28 days.

• Letters to the editor, Page 4