It says views from a historic house opposite the development and three archaeological sites on the development could be impacted by the build of 62 new homes and other buildings at 60 and 82 Laidlaw Street.

The Cliftonwood homestead built in the early 1840s and owned by Tony Wade could look out onto the development.

Mr Wade, who has called Cliftonwood home since 1948, now aged 70, said he is concerned about the impact of the development.

“I’m not silly, that land is now locked in for housing. I’ve got no objection of having a housing estate there - it’s worth too much money to run livestock on - but at the meeting at Yass Soldiers Club mid-last year, invited guests said we want no Gungahlin - we want larger blocks and open areas consistent with a rural area like Yass.

“Developers have not listened and have houses in left, right and centre.”

Cheryl Mongan, president of YDHS, said a decent outlook from historical properties should be maintained.

Umwelt, hired by WMD to conduct an archaeological and heritage analysis of the site, acknowledged the proximity of Cliftonwood.

Umwelt said in its report, “Council may require a statement of heritage impact be submitted...to assess the potential visual and physical impacts...of proposed works.”

Ms Mongan said there are also three archaeological sites that need further observation including the remains of the old Watson’s Mill, thought to be from 1842; remaining bricks from old brickwork kilns, thought to have been established in early 20^th century; and a slaughterhouse, which the society believes proceeds 1970 (likely 1926), unlike as stated in Umwelt’s report.

She said YDHS believes there hasn’t been sufficient archaeological observation and there should be proper recognition of the sites.

However, the results of two visual inspections undertaken by foot by Umwelt staff - although one was done in the presence of developers - found no evidence of Watson’s Mill.

While it did find a large amount of remnant building materials including bricks, inspectors said it wasn’t possible to be sure it was part of the old brickwork kilns.

As for the abattoir, it said there was no evidence to suggest it existed before 1970 and that the structure suggested no historical evidence.

YDHS publicity manager Susan O’Leary maintained, nevertheless, that the historic heritage should be looked after, stressing people visit Yass because of its history.