Controversial plans to link a nursing home's two buildings have been approved.

Worthing planners have given Bay Trees Homes the go-ahead to start construction work at its Highfield Road site.

The work will involve an extension linking the two parts of the existing nursing home to provide a laundry room, conservatory and hydrotherapy pool.

It will enable the home to house 30 people.

Seven objectors wrote to the council, saying the extension would be an eyesore that would affect house prices and be out of character with the neighbourhood.

Some also believed the increase in residents and staff would cause parking problems and heighten the risk of road accidents.

One wrote: "The home has developed into a monstrously ugly edifice which defies all planning sense."

Another told the council: "It is inappropriate to operate a substantial and imposing 24-hour business from this small site in a residential area.

"The complex already dominates the area, it has been overdeveloped in an unattractive and unsympathetic manner."

At a Worthing planning committee meeting, deputy council leader John Lovell referred to how Bay Trees Homes' plans had been a point of tension in the area and said: "I hope residents of Bay Trees and residents down there can get on and live happily together."