ANGRY, shattered, gutted.
Those were the words Kellyville Ridge residents used to describe their reaction to last week's decision to allow the controversial Merriville Road development to go ahead.
The Sydney West Joint Regional Planning Panel approved the 17 mixed-use commercial premises and five-storey, 198-residential unit development on Merriville Road, Kellyville Ridge, on Thursday night.
Rosie Bonham, who has led the community fight against the development for three years, said residents were demanding answers from Planning Minister Brad Hazzard.
"I cannot believe we had the federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, the Planning Minster Brad Hazard and state and local members from both sides of the political fence at our community meetings, with such support, and yet the outcome ends up in the hands of three faceless men and women," she said.
"Well [planning panel] members, you got it wrong.
"Blacktown Councillor Edmond Atalla did his best when he spoke on behalf of the residents and conveyed to the panel that councillors unanimously support the residents, but unfortunately it wasn't good enough."
Ms Bonham said the main concern of residents was the danger that would result from increased traffic on Merriville Road.
"It's going to take a death on this treacherous road before anyone's going to take notice," she said.