FURIOUS residents have begged Bournemouth council to call a halt to new developments in a prestigious part of town.

Dozens of new flats have sprung up in a small area near the cliff-top at Fisherman's Walk.

And one block is so big that it has destroyed sea views and blocked out sunlight from nearby family homes.

Those living there fear the character of the area is being destroyed and have urged planning chiefs to put a stop to the development before it is too late.

And they have asked planners to spare a thought for those whose homes are losing appeal as well as value due to the building going on around them.

One resident told the Daily Echo: "Bournemouth council should have a duty of care to local people.

"They do not think about those who are being overlooked and who have lost sea views and light."

A resident of Montague Road, who did not want to be named, added: "A lot of people objected to the flats but the council did not take any notice. It has destroyed our view."

Nine flats priced between £450,000 and £600,000, along with a penthouse believed to have been sold for more than £1 million, now stand on a plot formerly occupied by one family home.

Work has already started on a similar development next door.

Residents fear there may be more such developments planned for the area and have asked planners to consider their views.

They said they also believe the luxury properties are more likely to be bought as second or third homes by wealthy people from out of the area than by locals.

Bob Johnson, Bournemouth's planning control manager, said planning objections are always taken into consideration when assessing a proposed development.

He added: "The application was considered with regard to existing development, previous decisions on the application site/area and the relevant policies of the District Wide Local Plan.

"It was judged that the development would not materially harm the character or appearance of the area or the amenities of neighbouring and proposed occupiers at a level that could be sustained at appeal.

"Further it was considered that the development would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience."

The debate is one close to the heart of Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood who has campaigned to stop the tide of flats developments and what he calls "garden-grabbing".

"A combination of huge housing targets imposed on Bournemouth and weak planning laws make our town a developer's paradise," he told the Daily Echo.

Elsewhere in Bournemouth residents are furious that a planning inspector granted a developer permission for 13 flats on the corner of Charminster Avenue and Gresham Road.

Margaret Fowler, of Charminster Avenue, said: "It is just not a suitable area for flats and even though all 11 councillors at the committee voted against it the inspector, who is from Bristol, decided that the developer can go ahead."