Designs for planned new flats on Chris Eubank's former home have dismayed residents.

Former neighbours of the eccentric ex-boxer say the modern apartment blocks would look out of place in the exclusive street, which is lined with large detached family homes.

The two houses at 9 The Upper Drive, Hove, where Mr Eubank lived with his wife and two children, have already been demolished and building work on the 41 flats is due to begin shortly.

Fay Green, who lives a few doors along from the site and fought against the application for planning permission for two years, described the proposed design as a "monstrosity".

Examining the artist's impression of the site, she said: "It's completely despicable, just awful. It looks like an office block.

"We were told they would be stepped back with patios to reduce the visual impact from the road but these do not look anything like they said they would.

"It will be a row of ugly Sixties-style buildings, which will be completely out of keeping with the area."

Neighbour Gail Penny said she feared it would encourage further development in the street, which was built on the site of a garden nursery in the Thirties.

Last month the owners of a house across the street submitted a similar planning application to knock down the existing house and build nine apartments on the site.

Mrs Penny, who has lived in the street for seven years, said: "It looks like it's opened the floodgates.

"I feel very sad because these are very lovely old houses along this street which are part of our social history and they should be in a conservation area."

Not all residents disliked the designs, however.

Pam Williams, whose bungalow in Caistor's Close is at the rear of the site, said the large glass windows and balconies gave the development a Mediterranean feel.

She said: "I agree the flats are not in keeping with the character of the street but I actually think they're quite nice, especially compared with the tower blocks we originally imagined we were going to get. There is a need for these types of homes in the city and I don't think the developers will have any problems filling them."

The development will consist of 25 private flats and 16 flats which will be shared ownership with the city council.

Managing Director of Taggart Homes, Paul Miller, said the apartments would appeal to professional singles and couples, along with "empty nesters" looking to downsize after their children have left home.

He said: "We have a fantastic track record for developing this kind of contemporary, high standard property."