Plans to demolish one of Brighton’s oldest buildings to gain access to a “more historically important” building have been recommended for refusal.

The Royal Bank of Scotland is seeking to demolish a Grade II listed Timpson shop in North Street, Brighton, to clear the way for a new shopping square.

It is part of a vision to create a new £8 million addition to the city’s Lanes, with developers arguing the demolition would open up access to Puget’s Cottage, which dates from the 17th century and has been hidden away for 140 years.

The proposed demolition of 15 North Street, thought to date back to 1770, would create ‘Puget’s Lane’ linking North Street to the previously consented ‘Hannington’s Lane’.

But developers were forced to amend their plans after 15 North Street was Grade II listed by Historic England due to its “historic interest and rarity” in September 2013.

Three letters were received objecting to the plans, compared to 72 that were written in support.

Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership supported it on the grounds it would enhance the Lanes and ensure it “continues to be a thriving commercial area”.

Opinion was split among conservation groups with the Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission and the Conservation Advisory Group objecting, but the Hove Civic Society and the Regency Society supporting.

Heritage said the proposal would cause “substantial harm” in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.

Council officers said the public benefits of the proposal were “not substantial” and did not outweigh the “substantial harm resulting from the complete loss of the heritage asset” in a report to Brighton and Hove’s planning committee.

The report concluded: “15 North Street is a listed building that contributes positively to the character and appearance of the Old Town Conservation Area and its demolition would therefore fail to preserve the architectural and historic interest of the conservation area.”

Roger Amerena, of Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission, which secured the listing, said: “Anything can happen in planning, and until we get the result we shouldn’t presuppose. However a refusal is what should have happened.

“It’s a very important building with original properties.”

Ed Allison-Wright, of Centurion group, which has worked with RBS on the plan, said: “The recommendation was expected given the recent listing and it is up to the elected members of the committee to decide.

“There is overwhelming support and the majority of the general public want to see it happen.”