The $2.8 million development is proposed for a site Housing Plus sought to develop a 26-unit social housing complex in 2019, however it was opposed by local residents.

Last year a five-lot housing development was approved for the 9693 square metre site at 78 Forbes Road but a new development application has been lodged with Orange City Council and is on public exhibition.

It is proposed two houses, each with four bedrooms, would front Forbes Road on 1120 square metre and 855 square metre blocks.

However the grandest home on the site, with four bedrooms on the ground floor and four on the first floor, would be on 7727 square metres.

The development application for owners Nathan and Rachael Ovenden said it would be set well back from the road.

"Access will be provided via a central driveway that will extend from Forbes Road and form a turning circle in front of the dwelling. A single driveway will lead from the turning circle to the proposed garage," the DA states.

"The dwelling will sit within the existing landscaped grounds of the site."

Development of the site for any housing would involve tree removal.

The new DA says the changes will require less trees to be removed than had previously been proposed.

It said five trees that would have been retained under the previous DA would be removed however seven trees that were allowed to be removed would now be saved.

"The majority of the trees to be removed are introduced species and do not represent habitat for threatened or endangered species," it said.

"Only one native tree will be removed. As such, it can be concluded that the development would not have a significant impact upon threatened species, ecological communities or their habitats."

The work will involve the demolition of an existing house and other buildings on the site.

Housing Plus submitted a development application to Orange City Council in May 2019 for the social and affordable housing complex.

However the applicant withdrew the DA in August 2019.

Under the DA submitted to council Housing Plus proposed to have 12 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom homes in 14 separate buildings, particularly to house people over 55 years.

The existing house, domestic structures and some trees would have been removed however the DA did state replacement trees would be planted.

It was proposed driveway access would be from Forbes Road with 47 onsite parking spaces.

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