A PLAN to demolish an industrial building and build a number of three-storey homes has raised a number of objections from neighbours.

Lockley Homes wants to build eight three-storey buildings in Pope Iron Road but neighbours have said they are concerned the buildings would lead to a loss of privacy and sunlight.

Neighbours have also said the design would be out-of-character with the Victorian street.

Three buildings would be built in Pope Iron Road with five buildings built behind.

Julie Potter of Waterworks Road said: "As per some of the objections from my neighbours, I also feel the need to object to this development on the grounds of access, parking, noise during development and loss of natural daylight to adjacent properties.

"The parking is horrendous around this area and concerns me on a daily basis, particularly in relation to access for emergency vehicles, which would potentially not be able to reach properties around Pope Iron Road and lower down on Waterworks Road, including Gheluvelt Mews and Gheluvelt Villas."

Rachel Spurling of Pope Iron Road said she supported the building of the homes but the plans showed inefficient space for parking and she struggled to park in the narrow street already.

She said the reason she bought her house was because of the natural light running through it and building three-storey homes would block it.

Barbourne Riverside Residents Association objected to the plan and said the design of the homes was "highly inappropriate" and out-of-keeping with the Victorian street.

James McKeever, owner of The Winning Post pub in Pope Iron Road, also objected to the plan.

He said parking was already a problem in the area and the height of the homes would block sunlight and would affect trade at the pub.

Mr McKeever said the design of the homes did not fit in with the area and would overlook his pub.

Pete Bond of Gheluvelt Mews said the new homes would disrupt the privacy of neighbours and would block light.

He said: "Notwithstanding targets for new homes within the city, which are acknowledged and indeed supported, the density of this scheme appears to be to the detriment of the future occupiers of this development, as well as to the detriment of the existing residents of Gheluvelt Mews."