PLANS to demolish a convent and replace it with a total of 57 flats have sparked a wave of protest.

Local residents and councillors have begun a campaign against the plans, claiming the proposed flats are totally out of character with the area.

St Boniface convent in Doveshill Crescent, Redhill, is currently surrounded by houses and bungalows but Persimmon Homes' plans are for four blocks of flats, each three or four storeys high.

Redhill and Northbourne Cllr Roger West has helped distribute around 200 letters to residents.

He said the convent was a landmark building and deserved a better quality of design than was currently being proposed.

"The flats will tower over the bungalows in Howeth Road and ruin the appearance of this very important tree-covered valley side," he said.

"We accept that there should be development on this site but it has to be sympathetic to the area.

"Our planning policy is quite clear on this, flats have to respect or enhance an area. This development does neither and should be rejected."

Richard Knott, the council's principal planning officer for urban renewal and design, said that a "radical rethink" was needed on the proposed scheme.

In a statement, Andrew Fallon, land manager of Persimmon Homes South Coast, said: "We can confirm that we have submitted a planning application to build 57 apartments.

"We are setting up a meeting with the Local Authority to discuss feedback to the application."

First published: September 6, 2006