RESIDENTS have objected to the 'monstrosity' of a block of flats planned for Ventnor Esplanade.

Currently the site is home to the derelict La Veness property but now new plans, submitted by M. Lilly Property, will look to demolish the historic house and install a five-storey building.

A one-bed maisonette, three two-bed flats and a three-bed penthouse have been proposed for the site, which looks out across Ventnor seafront, that will be set back, behind other premises on the Esplanade, to mask the height of the building.

Previous planning permission granted in 2010 was for a six-storey building with two shop units on the ground floor and nine flats above it.

Now, however, neighbours of the proposed development site and residents of Ventnor have complained about the lack of notification they received.

Steve Stevens, who lives next door, said there was only a four hour gap between being notified of the application and the Ventnor Town Council planning meeting where the plans were going to be scrutinised.

He said: "The five members of the public who managed to attend the meeting at such short notice, including myself, all opposed the applications on the grounds of the over-bearing size of the development.

"We all agree something needs to replace the eye-sore derelict building that is there currently, but a five-storey monstrosity is not in keeping with the character of Ventnor seafront."

Other residents of the Esplanade said the development would 'spoil the street'  as it is not in fitting with the conservation area and called it 'ugly'.

At the meeting,  Ventnor Town Council decided to support the application but asked that a detailed structural engineer's report be developed to go along with the planning documents.

Local business Ventnor Exchange has also welcomed the planning application so long as the 'developers ... should not interfere with the running of successful businesses and events in the neighbourhood'.

Comments on can be made on the Isle of Wight Council's planning portal until Wednesday, December 11.