Writer Julie Burchill has launched a new bid to demolish her £1 million home and replace it with a block of flats.

An application to bulldoze four houses in Somerhill Avenue, Hove, including Ms Burchill's property, will go before councillors tomorrow and is being recommended for approval by planning officials.

The houses, dating from the Thirties, would make way for a block of 78 flats.

A proposal for a 108-flat development was withdrawn earlier this year after fierce opposition from residents.

Many remain angry that the existing properties may be destroyed.

Ms Burchill, a journalist and author, has argued the development would provide much-needed housing.

She said: "I love my house but I'd be just as happy moving somewhere else."

Ms Burchill said she had been disturbed by the building of 140 homes at neighbouring Chatsworth Square.

She said: "For two years I had to tolerate what looks like a Lego village being built right against my garden wall.

"But as I understand that people have to live somewhere I never dreamed of objecting to the mess and fuss.

"I would advise those rather selfish individuals who object to more homes being built to adopt a similarly adaptable attitude or else they're going to be very bitter people.

"It is gross hypocrisy for the inhabitants of Legoland to now protest about an identical situation."

The new application follows a successful bid by retired boxer Chris Eubank to demolish two houses in The Upper Drive and replace them with flats.

Ms Burchill added: "Anyone would accept the sort of money my neighbours and I have been offered."

A spate of similar applications, particularly in Hove, has resulted in the launch of campaign group No Inappropriate Development (NO ID).

Councillor Anne Giebeler, who represents the Goldsmid ward where Ms Burchill lives, supports the protesters.

She said: "This application is most unfortunate. It is on the back of Eubank that it was put forward.

"It is a travesty these houses will be demolished. The residents are absolutely beside themselves and this is one of the reasons NO ID was set up.

"This is a nice, quiet area and the design of the development does not fit in."

Elizabeth Dowse, 54, lives in a town house in Chatsworth Square and opposes the plans.

The charity worker said: "These are family homes which are going to be demolished.

"The council takes the view this is a waste of space. If that is true it puts every family home in Brighton and Hove at risk.

"Residents are fearful. We have a very nice outlook and if it is taken away it will be like living in a fish bowl."

Mike Wilson, 59, a retired teacher, lives in the same road as Ms Burchill and is joint chairman of the NO ID group.

He said: "This is totally inappropriate. Somerhill Avenue has a particular character which is going to be ruined."

The application is for a single block of flats with a flat roof and large areas of glass and timber.

Thirty flats will be designated as affordable housing, which comes just under the council demand of 40 per cent.

The developers have agreed to pay £80,000 towards improving transport in the area, including a car club.

Three of the homes earmarked for demolition sit together on Somerhill Avenue while the fourth is on Somerhill Road.

Planning officer Paul Earp has recommended the development.

He said: "Despite public objections it is considered that the development would have little impact on the amenities of the occupiers of neighbouring properties."

A planning application to replace a family home in Wilbury Avenue, Hove, with flats was refused but will go to appeal next August.

Plans to demolish a large family home called Ruston in Withdean Avenue were scrapped after the High Court ruled councillors had not properly explained their decision to agree the application.

But the developers have submitted a new application to build flats on the site which will go before councillors tomorrow.