PLANS to knock down 48 garages and replace them with 12 affordable flats have won official backing.

The garages in Buckley Close, Hangleton, have fallen into disrepair and the new homes would be among the cheapest to rent in the area.

If the £3 million scheme is granted planning permission today, Brighton and Hove City Council will build the flats.

And the council would have to pay a developer’s contribution of almost £25,000.

Some of the money would go towards bus stop and pavement improvements and about £10,000 would be spent on schools, probably Hove Park or Blatchington Mill.

The council’s housing committee approved the £2.9 million budget for the project in November.

Eight neighbours have objected, raising concerns about parking, overlooking and lack of space for children.

One said anonymously: “Please don’t do this! We are mainly all overcrowded council tenants who don’t have gardens and likely won’t get a move.

“Our children play out together in this quiet close as we don’t have outside space for them to play.”

Another parent said: “I recommend that you calculate the percentage of kids and young families to consider their needs and demolish these garages and design a space for kids to play football and basketball.

“Get some equipment for young children to invest in them and build a proper closed bike shed along with a proper rubbish bins space as they are scattered.”

Another neighbour, in Chichester Close, was concerned about children’s outdoor play and overcrowding.

Writing anonymously on the council website, the neighbour said: “This area is already overcrowded.

“Adding to this, flats are currently being built at the end of this road, worsening the problem.

“The additional proposed blocks of flats back directly on to our garden up to our back face.

“The two-storey flats will block all sunlight from our garden in every direction due to their height and positioning.”

A report to the planning committee said the site had archaeological significance as Iron Age and Roman objects had been found in the area.

It is also the location of a deserted mediaeval village where entire houses have been found buried.

The county archaeologist advised Brighton and Hove City Council to carry out a programme of recording and preservation of any historical finds before building work begins.

A decision is due to be made today.