SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council remains tight-lipped on how much ratepayers' money has been spent on the Rowland St court battle.

It's been more than a year since developer CH Property Holdings lodged an appeal against a council decision to reject approval of a 39-unit development in the quiet Warwick street.

On October 30 the Planning and Environment Court made a judgment on the case.

The Daily News has since posed the question numerous times about how much of a legal bill the council has run up.

We're still waiting for an answer.

While Director of Planning and Environment Ken Harris dodged the legal bill question, he did give an insight into what the court decision means for the future of the development.

Mr Harris said the court decision allowed for 34 units to be constructed over 10 stages.

"This means there will now be five units and four stages fewer than sought in the original application," he said.

"There have been a number of changes to the layout of the units within the development, including the ultimate removal of the existing two-storey brick dwelling."

The judgment requires the entire development to be completed within a decade.

The first stage must be completed by October 30, 2019.

Mr Harris said the commencement date of the development was for the developer to determine.

"If the development proceeds and the units are constructed, it is hoped that local tradespeople and building material suppliers will be able to participate in the construction," he said.

If fully constructed, the Rowland St development would accommodate up to 34 families.