St. John’s councilors have unanimously approved an 18-apartment extension to a heritage property in the city’s west end.

It’s planned for the 100-year-old Leaside Manor on Old Topsail Road, with the extension connected by a small hallway.

Eighteen submissions from area residents were received by the city, with the vast majority citing concerns with parking, traffic, noise, loss of privacy and green space, and overall size of the project.

But city staff recommended approval, saying the impact on the area would be minimal, and all councilors agreed — unlike last month when a 96-unit apartment building was rejected largely due to pushback from neighbours.

Councillor Greg Noseworthy said nobody likes change, but sometimes it’s necessary.

“In a perfect world things would stay the same, and everything would be perfect, everyone would have a job, everybody would have a home,” he said.

“That’s not the reality. It’s a tough one but it is something that is good for the area. It’ll create housing, it’ll create jobs, it’ll bring money into the neighbourhood, into the city, and for those reasons I’m in support.”