Neighbours in an exclusive residential area are at war over a man's plans to build a house in his back garden.

Objectors have launched a petition, stuck posters on trees and cars and urged people to write letters against the application to put a two-storey property, access road and garage in the garden of a house in Shirley Drive, Hove.

The campaign began after property owner Rodney Thomas, 50, chopped down five mature trees and applied for planning permission for a house.

But it has turned into full-scale war as the decision date draws nearer.

Mr Thomas said he and his family had been shouted at in the street and protesters had gone on to his drive to slap posters on his car.

Emotions are running high on both sides.

Hairdressing salon owner Peter Crown, of Hove Park Road, Hove, said: "Not only have the most beautiful trees been felled but if permission is granted for the house it will set a precedent for everyone else in the area to apply to build in their back gardens.

"We pay high council tax to live here in reasonably large detached homes. We pay for that seclusion."

Residents have discussed worries about the application with the support of Hove Park Residents Association. Some were concerned about access to the property and the lack of privacy an additional building would create.

One Shirley Drive resident said: "We were devastated when the trees came down and then we discovered a planning application had been made. We can never bring those trees back and they were a haven for the wildlife. Building a house in the back garden is totally inappropriate."

Another neighbour, who lives in Rigden Road, said: "There are two separate issues. Five or six beautiful trees, probably about 80 years old, were removed and now we discover this application has been made.

"It's totally inappropriate in this area of Twenties and Thirties houses to build a concrete and glass house in a back garden."

Mr Thomas, who bought the house a year ago, enlisted architects Lomax Cassidy & Edwards to design the building so it would blend with surroundings.

He has sent letters to neighbours asking them to visit and view the proposed plot.

He said: "We are not property developers. If it is built, the house will be our home. It will be sunk into the ground and the roof will be flat, meaning the house will not impede anyone's view. We have always wanted to build a modern home and this would give us the chance to fulfil our dream."

Regarding the trees he added: "The garden was massively overplanted with a huge number of trees. There are still at least 30 left."

He said their current home would be rented out.

But Mr Thomas and his wife Sheila said objection had turned into intimidation.

He said: "People have been abusive to me in front of my six-year-old daughter. It's been very nasty."

The family went to police after being shouted at in the street, leaving their ten-year-old daughter scared to leave the house.

Mr Thomas said: "If the plans get the go ahead, great. But if not, at least we gave it a shot. We don't want to make enemies over this."

Residents have until Monday to object to Brighton and Hove City Council's planning department.