A PROPOSED five-storey student housing block has been unanimously rejected by councillors but developers have been encouraged to try again with an amended design.

Brighton and Hove City Council planning committee members agreed with council officers to the unsuitability of plans for a 65-student housing block in Lewes Road.

Applicant McLaren and agents Pegasus Planning had applied for permission to demolish the existing site used for a car wash to make way for the block which would overlook the entrance to Woodvale Cemetery.

A planning application to convert the site into a hand car wash and car valet service is also currently under consideration by the council with a decision expected next month.

Speaking at the committee meeting today, Conservative councillor Lynda Hyde said she had concerns about the further “studentification” of the Lewes Road area.

Coun Hyde added: “It projects well beyond the building line, its bulk and mass is just too much for me.”

Green committee member Ian Davey said that there had been improvements to the public realm around Vogue Gyratory recently and that any new development should make a similar impact.

Coun Davey added he had concerns about a lack of management for the site and asked for more specific plans in any future planning application.

Labour councillor Les Hamilton said he had concerns about overdevelopment and said at 18 square metres, the units were half the nationally recommended size for a studio flat.