City planners have been told proposals for a skyscraper show a lack of respect for nearby homeowners.

Karis Developments wants to create flats in a 16-storey tower on the old Endeavour Garage site in Preston Road, Brighton.

The plans have provoked an angry response from nearby residents, who are concerned about the impact the development would have on the area.

Now, two Tory councillors have joined their protest and called for the plans to be rejected.

Coun Ken Norman, who sits on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "The proposal, which would overshadow and dominate the fine Victorian railway viaduct and the Victorian residences, would be a travesty of good planning.

"This would be a retrograde step in terms of fine architecture appropriately sited and would also dominate Preston Park as it would be seen from anywhere in the park and would be totally unsuitable for the area.

"This would be by far the tallest building in the area, twice as high as the railway viaduct, and would be seriously out of place in this environment."

His wife, Coun Ann Norman, said the tallest building in the area was just four storeys high.

Local Green councillor Keith Taylor said: "It shows little respect for the planning committee and even less for the community."

Mr Taylor had also objected to plans for a six-storey development at the site, which have already been improved.

He said: "We have been deluged with letters from concerned residents and whilst we acknowledged there was some public support for the previous scheme, we have had very little in favour of the new plans.

"If the application is passed, this area will be blighted by an over-dominant and unattractive testament to what is passed off in this city as good architecture."

Preston Park Tory candidate Jonathan Sheppard said: "It would be completely out of character in the area.

"It would detract from the Grade II listed railway viaduct, and given the lack of adequate parking provision, would cause real problems for local residents.

"This development cannot be allowed to go ahead in its present format."

Labour councillor Kevin Allen has also written a letter of protest to the city council.

The city council's planning committee is due to consider the application when it meets on February 5.