Neighbours in one of the smartest areas of Hove have united against plans to turn three family homes into blocks of flats.

More than 500 people living in and around Hove Park have objected to the scheme to create 36 flats with 30 parking spaces on the sites of three houses in Dyke Road.

Letters have been sent to Brighton and Hove City Council planners from across Stanford ward and beyond and huge banners, reading "Say no to flats 323-327", hang from nearby homes.

Residents in the upmarket neighbourhood, which boasts many large detached houses, say the plans would set a dangerous precedent and change the face of the area.

In August ex-boxer Chris Eubank and his wife Karron were granted permission two bulldoze their two homes in the Upper Drive to build 41 flats against strong local opposition but this time it looks as though people power may win.

Proposals for the two blocks, drawn up by Totem Architecture, based in Western Road, Brighton, are due to go before a council planning committee next week.

Planning officers have recommended they are rejected, saying the design and height of the buildings would be out of character and dominate surrounding developments.

In March the architects were forced to withdraw their original plans when officers said the blocks were too big.

David Goldin, an estate agent, lives on one side of the proposed site and has helped lead the campaign against the flats.

He said: "If this application goes ahead others will follow suit with developers pulling down as many family homes as possible and replacing them with large blocks of concrete.

"These blocks will be totally out of character and dominate the skyline. They will affect the infrastructure and massively increase the flow of traffic on an already congested road.

"The local plan shows a serious need for low-cost housing but also states there is an acute shortage in the city of three to four-bedroom houses and accommodation for larger families."

Peter Thomas, who lives on the corner of Dyke Road and Woodruff Avenue, said: "Plans like this are born of greediness, lightly veiled with holier than thou platitudes about meeting affordable housing needs.

"The need to provide lower cost housing is a proper concern that should be addressed appropriately, with developments by proven companies offering dwellings of the style, size and price to supply demand."

Councillors Vanessa Brown, Pat Hawkes and Jayne Bennett have all objected to the scheme.

Coun Brown said the campaign had galvanised residents across the area.

She said: "What's so nice is the residents have united and work so hard. This campaign has stretched across the whole of Stanford ward. There has been a lot of support from neighbouring Withdean as well. We want to preserve the character of the area."

However, not everyone opposes the scheme.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "When you look at the designs they are not massive concrete blocks as people say. They look just like houses and one of the buildings is actually lower than nearby homes.

"A lot of the objections are photocopied letters that were posted through letter boxes for people to sign. I bet 95 per cent who sent them haven't seen the plans.

"The architects have met all the objections that were originally given in March.

"If this is turned down it will be for political reasons.

"The councillors want to be re-elected next May so they will support what most of the people want."

Adrian Black of Totem Architecture said: "Dyke Road is characterised by variety and as the location is unique we believe the proposed scheme would not establish a precedent.

"The proposed scheme would provide much-needed housing as well as a positive contribution to the community".

The residents of numbers 323, 325 and 327 Dyke Road did not want to comment.