Ten new homes have been given the go-ahead in the Grange Road area of Ballymena.
Permission was granted at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday morning.
The development will be comprised of a mix of detached and semi-detached properties adjacent to the River Braid walkway.
The council’s Head of Planning Paul Duffy said these will be “in keeping with the character of the area”.
He reported 10 objections raised by local residents regarding concerns over increased traffic at Grange Road, the loss of an undeveloped site and loss of views.
He noted that no objection has been raised by the Department for Infrastructure. Agent Mervyn McNeill commented that it has been a “difficult application”.
He went on to say that plans have been “totally redesigned to take into account residents’ concerns” related to density. Previously, this included six two-storey terraced townhouses. There was a further application for 13 new dwellings.
He indicated that the family behind the proposed development will provide an adopted road complete with speed control ramps and a turning area to ease congestion commencing “as soon as possible”.
“The family wish to maintain a good relationship with residents,” he stressed.
In response to a query by Larne Lough Ulster Unionist Councillor Keith Turner over waste water treatment, Mr McNeill said: “We do not anticipate any problems with this.”
Mr Duffy said there would be “sufficient time to made sure that issue is resolved before properties are occupied”.
Larne Lough DUP councillor Alderman Paul Reid stated: “Northern Ireland Water is quite clear there is no waste water capacity. This is an ongoing problem.
“NI Water comes out with statements but do not come to this chamber to explain the rationale behind this.”
Knockagh Alliance councillor Ald Noel Williams said he was “happy to propose the committee approves the application”.
Bannside DUP Cllr Tom Gordon commented: “This application is within the development limit of Ballymena. Planning permission was granted in 2011.
“I am glad to hear Mr McNeill say the applicant is providing an adopted road. That is very welcome.”
He proceeded to second the application before it was approved by the committee.