Since 2017 the number of properties proposed for the site opposite Newman Park has come down from 24 to seven and now five and involved two different developers.

In that time the house fronting March Street has been excised onto its own block and the land behind has been sold.

On Tuesday night Orange City Council finally approved a development application for five separate two-storey houses with a community area.

A report to council said each home would have three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen/dining/living area, and laundry.

Four of the five will also have a double-garage with the other has a single garage.

Cr Stephen Nugent said it had been a "contentious site" over several years.

"My preference would be for a single-level development. But when you look at the designs the second storey is often set back and doesn't dominate the top of the development," he said.

Cr Nugent said it "might not be the ideal development for the site" but it had undergone significant revisions.

Cr Russell Turner said it was "quite a good compromise" with the development being reduced.

A separate development application for a childcare centre in Kearneys Drive was withdrawn from the council meeting agenda.

Council staff had recommended the proposal be rejected for being too intense for the site with noise and landscaping concerns for nearby residents.

In another separate matter council has approved a $100,000 low interest loan at 1.5 per cent over five years to the Waratah Sports Club to build an amenities block.

It was approved with a list of financial conditons including the loan being secured over the club's north Orange property.

Cr Joanne McRae said she was concerned about part of the financial arrangement.

Cr Glenn Taylor was one of several councillors who said the club provided extensive sporting facilities that council would otherwise have to provide.

"This is one club we should be getting right behind and supporting wherever we can," he said.