THREE more family homes will become student houses.

Councillors reluctantly gave planning permission for the conversions at 58 Staplefield Drive in Moulsecoomb,  96 Auckland Drive in Bevendean and 12 Twyford Road in Coldean.

At a planning meeting on Wednesday Labour Councillor for East Brighton Nancy Platts said: “There is a general increase in the number of [shared houses] now and it is a problem.

“This takes us in the wrong direction. We needs to free up family homes.

“I want to refuse and can’t.”

The three properties are all in protected areas where no more than 10 per cent of homes within 50 metres can be shared houses.

The homes in Staplefield Drive and Auckland Drive will go from three to four bedrooms, while Twyford Road goes from three to six bedrooms.

Ward councillors opposed every application.

Moulscoomb and Bevendean Labour Councillor Anne Meadows pointed out six houses along Auckland Drive are already shared, adding her concern about the loss of family homes

Fellow Moulscoomb and Bevendean Labour Councillor Daniel Yates cited noise, inadequate parking and the impact on schools due to the loss of family homes in his letter of objection.

Hollingdean and Stanmer Councillors Michael Inkpin-Leissner and Tracey Hill opposed the plans to turn the Twyford Road house from three to six bedrooms.

Councillor Hill wrote: “It is absolutely essential that if this were to be approved, the number of occupants be limited by condition and permitted development rights suspended.

“There are numerous other examples, such as in Hawkhurst Road, where there was a planning application very similar to this.

“As soon as it was approved the bulldozers moved in and the property was completely gutted inside and a full width loft conversion and rear extension done to remodel it for nine rooms.

“This has been done with no permission in place and has generated considerable impact on neighbours and ill feeling.

“We don’t want the same thing here again.”

All three were given planning permission, but none may be extended in future.

Councillor Platts was the only councillor who voted against each application.