A planning application for the construction of more than 60 new properties at the edge of a Jordanstown housing estate has sparked controversy.

Residents of Meadowbank fear the proposed erection of 22 apartments, 15 townhouses, 20 semi-detached and five detached dwellings would have a detrimental effect on local amenities and the environment have already submitted letters of objection to Planning Service.

The objections raised - on the development of land east of Meadowbank Farm - centre on concerns about the potential impact of any new building work on existing wildlife, specifically badgers and bats.

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Local residents claim that there are two active badger setts on the proposed site, and that bats live in the trees that border the field.

East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson told the local paper that development in the area had reached "saturation point" and traffic congestion is already a major concern.

He said: "This is one of the very few green spaces left between the Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus boroughs. There is certainly a lot of bird life in the hedgerows and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if there were badgers and bats there. It's a green area where the wildlife is just about holding on and it would be very difficult to re-establish it once it is gone."

A spokesperson for Planning Service this week stressed that no decision will be made before consultation with the Environment & Heritage Service.

(VB/JM)