Residents slammed the controversial approval of 74 homes on the former Treetops School site as a “death waiting to happen” at the council last night.

Around 20 residents in the chamber voiced outrage against the decision, narrowly avoiding a confrontation with security.

The proposal, first put forwards by Keepmoat Homes South East at last month’s planning meeting, is for 74 three or four storey-high homes on a brownfield site on Dell Road.

Clashes came after residents broke council rules to shout out in the chamber during the planning meeting.

The group from Woodward Close and Dell Road said they were concerned changes to Dell Road would create “danger” to walkers from extra traffic and dumper trucks.

Concerns were also raised about the height of the buildings and the change to the character of the area from the housing.

Residents submitted a 40-strong petition in opposition to the proposal to the council last month.

A decision was deferred till this month’s planning meeting to allow for a visit to the site.

During the meeting, Councillor John Kent said he felt the character of the development was “out of touch” with the rest of the area, to a round of applause from the gallery.

He said: “I am concerned about the impact on Dell Road. There is nothing the developers can do that will guarantee safe access, and they are in danger of entirely changing the nature of the road in order to get access to the site.”

But Chair of Planning, Councillor Tom Kelly said it was “hard” to find reasons to object to it.

In summary, he said: “This site is brownfield, it’s in a site-specific application, and generally I do like the look of the application.”

Four councillors voted in favour of approving the development and one against.

After the meeting, a number of residents spoke of their fury at the outcome.

Brendan Brennan, 46, of Dell Road said: “I think it’s terrible. No-one listened to us at the consultation meeting last October. People walk their dogs up there late at night, cars go up there. There will be someone killed. Why can’t they come for a walk around with residents to show them the problem?”

Jack Downward, 63, of Woodward Close said: “I’m very unhappy. It’s going to ruin the area and it’s all just about money – not enough affordable housing even. These people don’t live here and they expect us to be happy with it. They haven’t got a clue.”

Councillor Tunde Ojetola said he “understood residents’ concerns” but the council’s hands were tied.

Mr Ojetola said: “I appreciate the residents’ concerns but the planning committees’ hands are tied by planning regulations.

“We need to make the decision based on our priorities, and if we don’t make those decisions people will make them for us.

“If we move one step outside our planning regulations, central government could overturn it anyway.

“They might even be able to get compensation from the council for not following the policy priorities.”