A planning application for a nine-storey block of flats was given the green-light, sparking fury from neighbours who fear the area is being transformed into "Manhattan".

Councillors voted through the plans at a meeting on March 15 allowing developers to build 139 new apartments in Eltringham Street, Battersea.

The development includes a mix of affordable and private homes, landscaping and parking spaces.

During the meeting it was agreed residents would be consulted on the building materials used for the flats, the landscape for the surrounding area and fire-safety issues.

A council spokesperson said: "This scheme would provide dozens of badly needed new homes on an underused site with great transport links.

"It's another step forward for the regeneration of Wandsworth Town."

But residents living in the street fear the development will spoil the Victorian look of the area and are worried about the impact of more people living in the street.

A plea asking for the nine-storey development to be reduced to five with 26 signatures was handed to the council.

Kate Morris who lives in the street said: "We in our little Victorian houses and we are going to become an anomaly. We are not Manhattan, we are a gentle cul-de-sac.

"We need to consider the neighbourhood and the pressure of the infrastructure, it will be impossible to get on the train from 8am-8.30am.

"All in all, I don't see how anyone will be able to go to work."

The flats will be built on the site of Eltringham Depot, a vacant school which was being used by the council for its transport fleet.

Building work is expected to start in June this year.