Residents bitterly opposed to plans to build five terraced houses on the site of a derelict hall have launched a campaign to save their street.

Neighbours living in Carlyle Street, Brighton, were furious when they heard an application had been made to build the terraced houses in their road.

The site is occupied by a derelict outbuilding belonging to the Mission Hall in Bentham Road, which backs on to Carlyle Street.

Residents say they are not opposed to some form of development but believe the building should be converted into flats for the elderly or a hall which the community could use.

They have given 20 letters of objection to Councillor Joyce Edmond Smith, who will present the letters to Brighton and Hove Council.

Kevan Trott, 37, of Carlyle Street, said: "If this goes ahead the whole street will become one long terrace.

"The street is already jammed with cars and the houses could mean up to 12 more. The building work would cause chaos and the extra traffic would be a danger to youngsters."

The father-of-two, a building consultant who also runs an organic wine company, has lived in the street with his wife, Gillian, for ten years.

He said: "We live directly opposite the site and the houses would spoil our view of the Downs and block light into our house. If permission is granted for the houses it would cause chaos in our street and be yet another blow to the community."

Brighton and Hove Council is expected to consider the application at a planning meeting in mid-November.

Last week the Argus reported how residents in St Luke's Road, Brighton, fear thousands of pounds may be knocked off the value of their homes if plans to turn it into a terrace are given the go-ahead.

The 15ft gap used to be filled by a Victorian archway with wrought iron gates, which was the rear entrance to the Queen's Park Tavern in Queen's Park Road, closed several months back.

An application has been made to Brighton and Hove Council to build ten homes on the site, one of which would bridge the gap.