Residents have raised concerns over plans for a new block of flats - with neighbours claiming the development would breach their human rights.

Almost 30 letters of objection have been lodged against the “overwhelming and overbearing” proposals for the site in Naildown Road in Seabrook, near Hythe.

The scheme would see one house demolished to be replaced with a block of four apartments and two detached houses.

Agents acting for developers High Tide Propco Hythe Ltd say the designs are in keeping with the “mixed” style of the neighbourhood.

But Hythe Town Council argues in its objection that the new apartments are “over-intensive and out of character with the street scene”.

It also raises concerns over “insignificant parking spaces” as well as “overlooking issues, and a loss of sunlight to the surrounding dwellings”.

Meanwhile Alexa Thompson and David Keeling, who live nearby, say the apartments will “deprive us of all privacy in our rear private garden”.

“Every inch will be overlooked,” they write.

In their objection, Ms Thompson and Mr Keeling say residents in the new apartments could hear their private conversations, which would be “utterly intimidating, leading to stress, anxiety, lack of self-esteem, humiliation and embarrassment”.

They say the height of the apartments “would give immense opportunity to occupants of the proposed apartment block to capture on film or digitally, ourselves, our visiting friends and family, many of whom have children”.

“This too is a breach of our privacy under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act,” they add.

Other residents object to the parking provision, obstruction of views, the potential noisiness of the construction, light, noise and air pollution, and the properties not being affordable. The prices of the new homes, if planning permission is granted, are not yet known.

The developers’ agents Town and Country Planning Solutions argue that “the residential properties along Naildown Road are of mixed character, with a combination of traditional brick construction and more contemporary designs following recent development schemes”.

“Overall, the proposed development would boost the supply of housing within a sustainable location in the form of high quality development, making more effective use of the existing land,” the agents add.

Several objections mention potential damage to local wildlife and habitats. An ecological report by Kent County Council suggests that extra checks for hedgehogs and breeding birds should be carried out prior to any development to avoid harming them, but raises no other issues.

The application is set to go before Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s planning and licensing committee on Tuesday, September 20.