``It's going to take away our peace, harmony, tranquillity and the privacy of O'Hares Road,'' said resident Beatrice Alderden.

``The road can't take the huge amounts of traffic it could create.

Ms Alderden expressed concern about environmental impact and the potential for further development of the site. Da Bao Monastery spokeswoman Sister Giac Anh said residents' concerns were based on the misunderstanding that the monastery would be a bustling place of activity.

``We're sorry our [development application] has made our neighbours angry,'' she said. ``We respect that they need the quiet and we need the quiet, too.''

Mrs Alderden said the plan stated the development would cater for up to 200 people four times a year, 10 permanent monks and 30 weekend visitors. A Campbelltown Council spokeswoman said that in June last year the society was ordered to revegetate the site after illegally removing trees but the council has withheld the order while the development application is pending.