Representatives of the residents’ group are meeting with DUP MLA Ian Paisley Jnr this week as planners prepared to consider an amended application from developers for the site currently occupied by numbers 297 - 301a, 303 and land to the rear of 305 Ballymoney Road.

The proposal is to build a development consisting of 14 flats, nine semi-detached, two detached and nine town houses.

The plans have been amended, having originally been refused amidst fierce opposition from a 300-plus strong group of Ballymoney Road residents.

One of the group said they were not prepared to give up.

He said: “The plans may have been amended but it does not take away from the fact that this development - which is building two storey houses and flats in an area currently populated by bungalows - will completely change the whole character of the road and put increased pressure on sewage and water facilities, as well as dramatically increasing traffic flow and congestion.”

Meanwhile, residents have expressed their disgust at a planning decision to allow another development at 200 and 202 Ballymoney Road. The existing homes will be replaced by five houses and eight flats, along with car parking.

The application was granted despite the submission of letters of objection and a petition containing almost 200 signatures of objection.

“We were told that this petition would be treated as individual objections, but this has not happened. The people who have signed this petition are older people who are not able to write letters and get out and post them. They have asked the Ballymoney Road residents group, a properly constituted body, to represent them on this matter and have signed the petition with their name and their address. The planners have ignored their human rights by not treating their objection on an equal par with those who can write and post letters.

“The planners have swept aside the wishes of 170 ratepayers, are ignoring the strength of feeling on this and are prepared to let the whole nature of that area be changed beyond recognition.”

A DOE spokesman said: "The application was received on 23 January 2008, neighbours were notified on 29 January and the application advertised in the local papers on 14 February 2008 .

"A number of objections and a petition containing approximately 170 names were submitted to the Planning Office. Following consideration of the proposal, the application was presented to Ballymena Borough Council on 6 November 2008 as a refusal as it was found to be contrary to PPS 7 'Quality residential Environments', PPS 12 'Housing in settlements' and associated guidance 'Creating Places'.

"Council deferred the application for an office meeting which was held on 17 November following which amendments to the proposal were submitted and subject to further advertisement and neighbour notification.