A developer is hoping to transforma derelict Victorian bath house into an eight-storey tower.

The proposals are the latest in a series drawn up by Sirus Taghan and various architect firms in a bid to develop Medina House in Kings Esplanade, Hove.

However the new plans, submitted this week, have angered conservationists who described the developer as “inconsiderate” and “selfish”

for ignoring instructions drawn up by Brighton and Hove City Council following a public consultation.

The former three-storey Victorian bath house has remained empty for 15 years as a series of proposals up to 18 storeys high submitted by Mr Taghan were rejected by the council.

 

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In a bid to resolve the impasse, the city council launched a public consultation in a bid to draw up a planning brief laying down guidelines for what the authority would consider a suitable development.

The brief proposed the retention of the bath house and any new build of similar height to the surrounding three-storey buildings – proposals Mr Taghan describes as “unviable”.

The planning brief for the tower, which would provide eight new homes, states the distinctive stepped style of the building is designed to ease the transition between the tower and its lower neighbouring buildings.

The brief also states the scheme “successfully overcomes reservations expressed by an appeal inspector”

regarding a much larger previous development.

Mr Taghan said: “The council’s planning brief is definitely a flawed one.

“The building is not viable to be saved and it is not possible to do anything with the current building.

“I am optimistic we have ticked most the boxes the council want but then again I have been optimistic throughout.”

Valerie Paynter, of Save Hove, said she believed the latest design would remain on the drawing board along with the rest of the developer’s previous proposals.

She said: “Eight storeys is out of the question.

“Because there’s a building line that goes along the Esplanade, he seems to think he can completely ignore the nearby residents in Victoria Cottages and Sussex Road who are right up against the back of Medina House.”