A plan to build homes in a former reservoir is likely to draw hundreds of objections from neighbours of the site.

Downland Housing Association has applied for planning permission to build 21 properties between 7 and 13 Pankhurst Avenue, Brighton.

Nearby residents, who have already tried to block an application for a similar scheme in a nearby reservoir, have pledged to object.

The properties would be two to four storeys high.

Two homes would be adapted for disabled people, 14 would be for shared ownership between the Haywards Heath-based housing association and key workers, such as nurses and police officers, and five would be for general use.

If the application is approved, work could start by the end of the year.

Gile Ings, a partner with DRP Architects, which has been commissioned to designing the project, said: "They're are going to achieve an eco-homes rating of very good.

"They will be car-free with a car club.

"It is very early days. Maybe in five months' time work may start."

Brian Lilley, who lives next door to the site, said he would fight "tooth and nail" against the application.

He has already been canvassing local opinion and contacted David Lepper, Labour MP for Brighton Pavilion.

Mr Lilley, 72, a former design engineer for East Sussex County Council, said: "They want to put a four-storey building next to predominantly two-storey houses.

"They are going to provide two disabled parking spaces and 19 bicycle racks.

"People already double-park.

"We are going to object."

When another firm applied to develop the reservoir slightly further north, there were 300 letters of protest and 600 people signed a petition.

Residents of the surrounding Craven Vale and Queen's Park area wanted a community centre to be built instead.

Osborne Homes is still awaiting a planning decision.