Winchester planners have defied residents to agree a controversial housing development in gardens behind one of the city's most exclusive roads.

Despite more than 100 letters of objection, councillors approved plans for 50 new homes in Chilbolton Avenue by a majority of just one vote.

Angry Chilbolton Avenue resident Anthony O'Dowd branded the planning committee decision as "disgraceful".

Speaking on behalf of 40 residents, Mr O'Dowd had implored the committee to reject the proposals.

Objections included problems with open space, road safety, local facilities and the removal of trees.

Developer Linden Homes had already applied for permission for a 53-home development on the same site, on land behind numbers 8-22 Chilbolton Avenue.

Those plans were thrown out by planning chiefs and are due to be considered at a public inquiry next March.

Martin Hawthorne, agent for the developer, said the new set of plans had been drawn up after consultations with residents and public meetings. Planning chiefs said they were reluctant to permit the plans but approved them by five votes to four.

The amount of public open space given within the development was highlighted by committee members as a cause for concern, as was road and child safety. City councillor Patrick Davies said part of the blame lay with local residents who had agreed to sell off part of their gardens.

"It's sad the way Chilbolton Avenue has gone, but frankly it wouldn't have gone the way it has if residents hadn't been greedy," Cllr Davies said.

Councillor Georgina Busher said: "I think it's very sad that we've got these large houses which people can't keep up any more so they sell them and their gardens get developed.

"Winchester is destined for change and there's nothing we can do about it. The alternative is greenfield sites and nobody is going to like that."