RESIDENTS are being asked whether they want to see “Brighton’s ugliest building” demolished as part of a consultation on the future of the derelict site.

Developers Hyde and First Base yesterday launched an extensive public consultation set to last up to eight months as they seek to redevelop Anston House in Preston Road.

The consultation states that while approval already exists to convert the nine-storey building into 44 flats, the developers wish to replace it with a build of “much higher quality” with residents asked to state their preference on demolition.

It is hoped that work on the site could begin early in 2017 on the site, which has stood empty for almost 30 years and which was bought by Hyde and First Base earlier this year.

The office block was built in 1969 following the demolition of two large villas and has been the subject of eight applications since they year 2000.

They have included a 15-storey, 231 apartment block rejected in 2013 and a hotel conversion approved in 2001.

Stina Hokby, associate at Fletcher Priest Architects, said her work would be looking at how the building sat in context with grade II listed Preston Park and as a “gateway” into the city.

Part of the consultation will look at proposed improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities at the “car-heavy junction” with Stanford Avenue.

David Rothwell, development manager for First Base, said Anston House represented a “fantastic opportunity” and that the site had been “crying out to be redeveloped”.

He said: “We are very aware of what happened with the previous application that fell down primarily because of insufficient public consultation.

“We are well aware of the issues relating to right to light and we don’t want to replicate that situation.”

Brighton Society co-founder Selma Montford, one of the first at the consultation held at the Jurys Inn yesterday, said this development could really be the end for Anston House after a number of failed applications.

She said the society would welcome the demolition of the “dreadful” building but any replacement building should not be higher than its predecessor or risk “overshadowing” the park.

Claire Parkin, who works in nearby Telecom House, said: “I personally would like to see it turned into a green space but from a commercial perspective I guess it’s not that viable.

“Brighton aspires to be a green city so they need to be mindful of that, if they could turn it into a really environmentally friendly building then I think that would work.”

Her work colleague Helen Jackson added: “Public consultation is all well and good as long as the feedback is actually being listened to, it can’t just be a gesture.”

Feedback can be submitted by calling 0800 148 8911, emailing feedback@firstbase-anstonhouse.co.uk or posting to Freepost MPC Feedback.

For more information visit firstbase-anstonhouse.co.uk.