DESPITE receiving close to 100 objections from residents, the Best Little Town on the Downs is about to become home to a massive grain storage and distribution facility after the Southern Downs Regional Council gave it the final tick of approval yesterday.

The approval means the Allora-Hendon railway line will be used for the first time in years to transport grain to the facility and then on to the Port of Brisbane.

The facility will house four grain storage bunkers each 37m wide, 350m long and 7.8m tall.

There will also be silos, administration buildings and on-site car parks at the site which spans a total of 30.72ha.

At the helm of the development is Grainx Australia director Chris Hood, who is also the man behind the current grain silo in Herbert St.

With more than 12 months having passed since Mr Hood submitted his development application to the council, he was glad to finally see a decision during yesterday's general meeting in Stanthorpe.

However, it was not a quick decision.

Councillors went around the table each voicing their concerns, but acknowledging the benefits the development would bring to the region.

With the noise and air quality tests proving there would be no issues, the councillors' main concerns were for the nearby neighbours - especially Geoff and Helen Pitstock, whose home is set to be surrounded by the new grain facility.

Mr and Mrs Pitstock both attended the meeting.

"I am disappointed in the council's decision," Mr Pitstock said.

"I thought some of the conditions such as the 110m long, 3.6m high wall (which will act as a noise barrier) that will completely block all our views would have slowed up the process."

Mr Pitstock said he would like to see the council showing some more consistency.

"Last month they knocked a wind farm development on the head because of the people it would affect, this will affect just as many people, and there is just no consistency."

Mrs Pitstock said it was a shame their property was so close the development's boundary.

Cr Jamie Mackenzie said the development's need to be near the railway line meant there wasn't really anywhere else it could be moved to.

"This is going to enhance the region's grain industry, create ongoing employment opportunities and as far as planning goes there is nowhere else that has a privately owned spur railway line, is flood free and close to highways," he said.

"It ticks all the boxes and is supported by the planning scheme."

Cr Glyn Rees said he felt for the Pitstocks and the situation that they were in, but said there was no reason to not approve the application.

Mr Hood said he understood the concerns of the council.

"I am conscious of the concerns the council have, but this project has got wide economic benefits to the region and even the state," Mr Hood said.

"I have had a lot of interest from large export companies.

"Warwick has already made a name for itself as a distribution hub with the Big W distribution centre and it makes sense to co-locate with them."

The recommendation to approve the development was moved by Cr Mackenzie and seconded by Cr Neil Meiklejohn.

All were for the development going ahead, except Cr Jo McNally, who said she was not happy to ignore the opinions of many objectors.

After another debate the operating hours changed from 7am-6pm seven days a week to 7am-6pm Monday to Saturday.

When it was approved, Cr Mackenzie tabled a further recommendation asking the council to write to Mr Hood asking him to meet the Pitstocks and discuss the possibility of buying them out.

It failed to gain support, some councillors suggesting it crossed a line.

However, Mr Hood said he would have been happy for the motion to be approved.

Mr Pitstock said they had not planned to leave, but would be happy to sit down with Mr Hood and discuss it.

Mr Hood said there was no start date as yet.