"If the water's reticulated from Flaxmere it can't get higher than FW4.
"We are saying we agree with reticulation but Irongate could have a stand-alone system with a back-up power supply that would mean it could achieve higher than FW4.
"The supply wouldn't be restricted by having to go through other domestic households, and would have enough volume and pressure to help protect buildings in the case of fire.
"This whole development is being paid for by the developers. As landowners we should have a say in the water system that will be supplied, and the Flaxmere system hasn't been properly evaluated.
"It seems they don't care about public consultation and are just going ahead regardless - and how can they negotiate with someone [Sunfruit Orchards] confidentially without having all the facts?"
Mr Roil, who is not seeking re-election in the upcoming elections, questioned what deal had been made behind closed doors, and said he and the other submitters would be seeking legal advice.
Mr Yule said nothing had been set in stone yet regarding water supply for the development, but for Sunfruit Orchards the council had made an agreement that it would supply the water the company required, at the time that it wanted it.
"We will have to find the best solution to do that by September next year when the business intends to be open.
"I understand there is a submissions process going on but we are trying to make the most of these opportunities when they present themselves.
"This company is making a huge investment, and there's a lot of jobs - we have agreed to supply Sunfruit with the amount of water they asked for at a time and cost we have agreed on, along with a sewerage service."
He added that the situation had been discussed by council but because of his conflict being a landowner, Mr Roil had not been privy to these discussions and decision-making.
Sunfruit Orchards managing director John Altham said some long discussions and "gnashing of teeth" had occurred with the Hastings District Council to get to this point.
"The council was supportive on the basis it could put the water and sewerage in, but less supportive without it," he said.
He acknowledged some submitters had concerns about the water supply and firefighting capabilities but he believed an adequate solution had been reached.
"The Fire Service is most concerned with saving lives rather than buildings. This is quite a difficult area, and we had lots of discussions around it. We will present a plan for the building consent that we believe will be satisfactory in terms of firefighting."