POTTSVILLE residents turned out in force on Monday in a show of support to preserve a parcel of land for a future high school in the coastal village.

More than 70 residents turned up at the Seabreeze Estate where Commissioner S Morris from the NSW Land and Environment Court was on site to hear from residents as part of an appeal hearing.

Newland Developers Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Metricon - the developer behind the Seabreeze Estate - is appealing a decision by Tweed Shire Council to reject its application to turn a parcel of land originally earmarked for a high school into more housing.

The developer is seeking approval to build an additional 65 houses on the 6ha site, cornering Seabreeze Blvd and Tom Merchant Way, after the NSW Education Department declined to purchase the lot, saying there was no need for a second high school on the Tweed Coast.

Pottsville Community Association president Chris Cherry, who is contesting the council election as an independent candidate, said the hearing went well.

"We had about 70 people attend with eight speakers; seven against and one for the subdivision of the site,” Ms Cherry said.

"People raised so many different issues; the promise to the community, the lack of sewerage capacity, the inconsistency with the Seabreeze Development Control Plan, the inconsistency with the requirement for buffers from canelands.

"It was a great turnout from the community, especially considering it was a work day.

"We certainly gave it our best shot. The commissioner seemed interested in everything the speakers had to say.

"Standing there on the site only reinforced what a fantastic location it is for a school for our children. Hopefully we achieve it one day.”

Council's planning director Vince Connell said last week there was no other suitable parcel of land for a high school in Pottsville at this stage.

The hearing is scheduled to continue in Sydney on December 6 for an estimated two days.