Chris Eubank has submitted new plans for a multi-million pound development on the site of his luxury home.

The retired boxer wants to demolish two exclusive houses and replace them with five blocks of 41 flats.

Neighbours in The Upper Drive, Hove, campaigned against previous schemes and have already lodged their opposition to the latest proposals.

They applauded Brighton and Hove City Council in April when the planning committee rejected a previous application.

Eubank, 37, who has come back fighting with another design, said: "I am pleased with the new plans and hope everyone likes them.

"Forty per cent of the homes are for key workers, including nurses, teachers and police officers."

The celebrity, who lives in one of the houses with wife Karron and their four children, added: "Obviously we are very hopeful this will go through as this is the third time we have changed the design.

"You cannot please everyone but I think this is lovely. I'm quite glad we were asked to change it because I think this time it's really nice."

Alan Wainer, of architects Lomax, Cassidy and Edwards, who drew up the latest proposals, said: "This is a completely fresh look at the development.

"It's a contemporary design that uses materials found in other homes in the area.

"Although contemporary styles can be contentious, this has been designed with some sensitivity to the context."

Builder John Regan, of Birch Restorations, is confident the planners will accept the latest proposal.

He said: "This design is very different and we have taken on board everything the planners have asked of us.

"In the form it was first presented, the development was considered too blocky. The objection was about design and not the principle of development. We hope we have addressed these issues and will get a favourable decision this time."

However, neighbours in the exclusive area remained defiant in their opposition to the flats, who fear they will set a precedent and blight a residential area.

Councillors rejected the last scheme, partly on design grounds, following advice from planning officers.

Neighbours now have until July 2 to register their opinions of the scheme.

Tuesday June 15, 2004