A controversial project which will provide low-cost homes to help ease the city housing crisis has been given the go-ahead.

The project will provide 124 flats, of which 50 will be low-cost housing, and will include a car share club to reduce parking and traffic congestion.

It will be built on the site of the former Endeavour Motors garage in Preston Road, Brighton, and is a joint initiative between Southern Primary Housing and Karis Developments.

The scheme sparked controversy because it includes only 24 parking spaces in an area of the city plagued by traffic problems.

All but four of the spaces will be reserved for disabled badge holders, who will occupy some of the flats in the three blocks to be built on the site.

Last night Brighton and Hove City Council's planning committee approved the scheme, which was described as a "template" for future projects of its type.

Councillors were told it had sparked a large number of objections from people in the area.

Adrian Slack, their spokesman, said the size of the buildings would overshadow their homes.

He added people buying the flats would almost certainly own cars and not providing enough parking would increase pressure for space in neighbouring streets.

Councillor Keith Taylor said: "We welcome anything which will help to reduce the housing shortage in our city.

"However, we do not need housing at any price and this is too high a price to pay.

"On behalf of the residents, I am asking the developers to come back to us with something which will be less imposing on the area."

Councillor Jack Hazelgrove said: "We are all aware of the housing crisis in Brighton and Hove.

"Young people are not going to get their feet on the housing ladder if we maintain a policy of approving only low-density projects."