These are the brand new plans from a developer who wants to replace a fire damaged city building.

The Argus can exclusively reveal the designs for new housing at Medina House in Hove, which was damaged in an arson attack on Saturday night.

The new planning application currently under consideration by Brighton and Hove City Council is for a three or four storey building for eight flats.

Previous designs have included proposals for an 18 storey building with 23 apartments.

Ian Coomber, partner at Stiles Harold Williams and planning agent for the developer Sirus Taghan, said the fire was “deeply regrettable”.

He said the latest proposals were submitted on November 19 but had only became valid last week following the production of some additional information requested by the city council.

He said: “This scheme follows a long history of planning applications at this site and proposes a very high quality contemporary and contextual design, finished in copper.

“It is the result of considerable work on the part of the project architects ADD Architecture and responds well to its context along with the wider conservation area.

"The existing building had planning permission for conversion in the past but it has just not proven economically viable to convert.”

Campaigners have called for an enforcement notice to ensure the building is maintained in the short term and they want to see a compulsory purchase order made for the council to buy the building.

Ukip council candidate Nigel Furness is the latest to back Save Hove campaigner Valerie Paynter’s call for council intervention.

He said: “I would love it to be saved as a community building but even if not, it could be retained as a stunning residence for anybody who wants to buy it.

“If the council did buy it, I am sure they could get their money back or more when it came to selling it on – it’s a win win situation.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said the authority’s building control team inspected the site yesterday and are satisfied there is no need for council involvement as the building is not “a dangerous structure”.

He added: “Our Planning Enforcement Team will now do a site visit and look at any external damage but currently we have not made any decision about whether or not any further action is necessary or required.

“There are no plans to seek a compulsory purchase order on this site.

“The owners of the site have a significant amount of guidance about future development of the site and this adopted guidance will be used to inform the decision on the latest planning application which has been submitted.”

Police are investigating an arson attack after fire broke out at the Victorian bath house in King’s Esplanade, Hove, at 5.40pm on Saturday.

A joint investigation with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has concluded the fire was started deliberately.

A Sussex Police spokesman said the force was called by the fire and rescue service to attend the scene just before 8pm on Saturday.

He said: “There were no reports of anyone being on the premises or of any injuries.

“The origin is being treated as suspicious and police will be working with fire investigators to establish the cause.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 1010 quoting serial 1262 of December 20.