Chris Eubank has won the right to bulldoze his home and build five blocks of flats in its place.

Brighton and Hove City Council's planning committee narrowly approved the former boxing champ's controversial project for 41 flats yesterday.

The decision was greeted with disgust by neighbours in The Upper Drive, Hove, who have been resisting the application for two years.

Raymond Taylor, who lives opposite, told the committee: "These flats will stick out like a sore thumb and ruin the character of the area."

Tory councillor Anne Giebeler said there were fears about the impact on a neighbouring family with severely handicapped children.

But Labour councillor Francis Tonks felt it was unfortunate Mr Eubank's name had been dragged into the issue.

He said: "This should be decided on planning considerations alone. There is a great need in the city for affordable housing."

Mr Eubank, 38, was not at Hove Town hall to hear the committee's decision yesterday but his his wife Karron was.

She said: "We are delighted this has been approved.

"We have always tried to take the concerns of our neighbours into account and will continue to do so."

The Argus revealed last week the scheme was being recommended for approval.

Mr Eubank said then: "I am just happy that everyone else seems happy with this design."

Neighbours could still force the fight into extra-time by calling for a planning inquiry.

The planning committee approved the plan by seven votes to five.

A previous application was thrown out in April but an independent panel of architects advised that the new proposal was acceptable.

Coun Bob Carden, planning chairman, said: "As well as having a much-improved design, the buildings will also be highly sustainable.

The Eubanks' application is one of a recent string to bulldoze large homes in Hove and replace them with flats.

Critics say the trend will have an irreversible impact on the town's character.