Dozens of campaigners protested yesterday against plans to build a block of flats on a busy Solihull road.

Members of the Marston Green Opposing Overdevelopment Group gathered in Holly Lane to show their support for Solihull Council's rejection of a planning application for the site. The original proposals, submitted in November 2006 by Leycester Holdings Limited, outlined plans for the demolition of three bungalows.

The company had hoped to replace them with 31 new dwellings in a three-storey block, but Solihull Council rejected the application.

Bickenhill Parish Council also objected on the grounds of inadequate car parking, the site not being in keeping with the surrounding properties and overdevelopment.

In addition, a total of 145 letters, including a petition with 15 signatures and letters from Councillor Bob Sleigh (Con Bickenhill) and MP Caroline Spelman (Con Meriden) were submitted in objection to the plans.

However three letters of support were submitted on the grounds it would provide affordable housing in the area.

Yesterday, Solihull Council confirmed the developers had appealed against the decision.

The appeals process began yesterday[Thur] and a decision is expected today.

Following its protest, the action group's spokeswoman Linda Poulson, said it was peaceful and an attempt to show how residents felt about the plans.

Describing the event, which attracted about 40 people, she said: "We were really pleased about it.

"We hope that the inspector will support Solihull Council and reject the appeal."

She said the group was opposed to the planning application as it was not in keeping with the surrounding area and would cause added congestion to an existing "major busy route".

"We are opposing it on the ground of unsuitability within the area," she said. "If granted, there are apartment buildings which are going to go up and there is nothing similar in the area.

"The apartment blocks will be higher than the present existing buildings. Holly Lane itself is an extremely busy road and is one of the main roads out of Marston Green, so the traffic will be greatly increased. There will also be lots of children walking to school.

"The cars that can't park on the drives will come and park on Holly Lane."

This is not the first time the residents of Marston Green have fought against plans to knock down existing houses to build more housing.

Last month, campaigners from the group claimed victory after Solihull Council rejected plans to build 70 homes in another Marston Green road.

The council's planning committee refused permission for the scheme in nearby Elmdon Lane. Plans had been submitted by the Warwick-based Sandstone Group, who signalled they would be considering resubmitting plans for a similar scheme on the site and appealing against the decision.

Mrs Poulson added: "The Elmdon Lane case was huge and prolific but Holly Lane is further down the line at the appeals stage.

"It is sad that they want to knock down bungalows for housing as they are so useful for elderly residents."

Leycester Holdings Limited could not be contacted.