Eleven houses are set to be built in a conservation area in Bristol, despite objections from residents.

Developer Bovis submitted plans to Bristol City Council to develop Sanctuary Gardens, off Knoll Hill, in Sneyd Park.

Eight pre-fabricated homes on the site would be demolished to make way for the scheme, described as an "in-fill" development.

Originally Bovis had wanted to build 12 homes on the land but resubmitted plans after concerns about the density. But residents say the five three-bed houses and six four-bed houses are still too much for the site.

There would also be 44 parking spaces, including 13 for visitors, but not all of the properties have open space.

Sanctuary Gardens was formerly within the curtilage of Sneyd Park House, and is within the Sneyd Park Conservation Area so the developer needed special permission for the demolition.

The council's north area committee voted in favour of the application at a meeting on Wednesday, but only by the narrowest of margins.

Councillors were split four votes apiece, so Councillor Barbara Lewis (Conservative, Brislington East) used her deciding vote as chairman to give approval.

A ninth councillor, David Kitson (Liberal Democrat, Bishopston), should have voted on the plans but had been unable to attend the site visit and so was preventing from taking part because of council rules.

Residents living in the area strongly objected to the proposals, with 33 statements submitted to the committee.

Although most felt the site was suitable for development, they thought this plan was an overdevelopment.

Other concerns ranged from the designs being out of keeping with the area to poor access.

One objector, David Wedge, said: "Building 11 large plan houses on the site of eight small prefabs is essentially garden grabbing.

"This is unacceptable for this site and is also a bad precedent for other developments in the conservation area."

Another, Andrew Crocker, said: "Knoll Hill is narrow, steep and includes a blind bend.

"The addition of the proposed access point would make an already dangerous situation even worse."

Planning officers had recommended approval for the application, and a report to councillors argued the homes would be in keeping with the area.

Councillors were sharply divided on the plans.

Councillor Jay Jethwa (Conservative, Stockwood) said: "It's not in keeping with the area, I'm minded to refuse it."

Councillor Steve Comer (Liberal Democrat, Eastville) said: "I worry if we reject this we are opening the door to something worse.

"This is probably the best that is achievable. It has flaws but in-fill developments always do."