RESIDENTS are up in arms over a proposal to build a block of starter flats in the garden of a Teignmouth house.

They claim the eight apartments in Higher Coombe Drive would be overbearing, lead to a loss of privacy for several homes and increase traffic problems on an already dangerous road.

Many have sent in objections to the planning application for permission to construct the block in the redundant garden of number 51.

They also query why an old oak tree on the site was felled, resulting in a detrimental effect on wildlife in the area.

Sue Pearce, of Higher Coombe Drive, feared the effects extra vehicles would have on the road which was already a 'rat-run'.

'This is a horrendous stretch of road at times. There have been several accidents and we are always hearing the screech of tyres.

'More cars would make a dangerous situation even worse because Higher Coombe Drive is already choc-a-bloc with parked vehicles.

'We would not object to a single house being built there, but a block of flats is just too much.'

A resident in Howard Close claimed it was another example of going 'too far', with 'financial gain placed in front of common sense.'

'After all, how would the owner of the land and the contractor like having a set of flats in their back garden that can look into their houses and watch every move?'

A Soper Walk resident pointed out that although the development would provide eight parking spaces, a lot of families now had two cars. There was no more room for parking in the street.

'At weekends and evenings, the road is lined with parked cars on both sides, which causes a hazard for other cars and pedestrians.'

Kelly Pitt, of Higher Coombe Drive, said the access to the flats was at the most dangerous spot on the road. The school was already full, so children would have to travel elsewhere, adding to road congestion.

The agent for the applicant, Impella Ltd, states that the proposal is to build small, but well designed flats on an area of redundant land, which has degraded into scrub and grassland.

It aims to create a mix of flats to appeal to the starter market, and people wanting to downsize.

It said: 'The proposal is put forward to increase density on previously developed land, in line with central government policy.'

The architect added that 'inventive design' must be used to mitigate any concerns of residents.

Ward councillor David Cox said he had sympathy with the residents' concerns, and would examine the application in detail before it came before the development control committee for a decision.

'I can see a lot of problems with the scheme, but I have to keep an open mind until all the points of view have been put forward.'