Neighbours are "shell-shocked" after permission was granted to demolish a house for more housing.

Letters from 26 people were sent to Brighton and Hove City Council objecting to the plans to replace a house with four three-storey houses and two flats.

They said the development on the corner of Colebrook and Croft Roads in Withdean, would be out of character and cramped. An influx in traffic and parking problems is also anticipated.

Lester Dewey, 51, of Croft Road, said the owner had already tested their patience by cutting about thirty trees on the site over the Christmas period despite preservation orders. This was refuted at last month's planning meeting.

He said: "I think they just rail-roaded it and councillors didn't really consider the impact it's going to have on so many residents. The buildings will tower over neighbours and nobody seems to know about the plans.

"We're all a bit shell-shocked and I don't know what we can do because we've been told there are no options."

Ursula Hallins, 54, said residents' objections had been ignored.

She said: "I only live two doors away and I wasn't given any notice of it at all. "

A council spokeswoman said each home would have a garage to avoid parking problems and the plan did not represent an overdevelopment on the site.

She said the buildings would be set away from the road, designed in keeping with the area and will not overlook nearby properties.

She said: "This represents a sound development that adheres to planning policies on making the best possible use of available land."