“DESPERATELY needed” student flats have been granted planning permission despite concerns the area is already “imbalanced”.

Planning committee members were divided on whether to support the proposal for 51 student flats next to Woodvale Crematorium, Brighton, narrowly voting through the plans seven to five.

The proposal will see the development of a yard currently used for hand washing cars.

The application has received objections from 55 residents.

Councillors praised architects for returning with a slimmed-down version of plans for 65 flats which were rejected in February last year.

It was argued the purpose-built student accommodation will reduce the strain on family housing.

But other members of the committee raised a number of concerns regarding parking, disabled access and impact on neighbouring properties in Gladstone Place.

Several councillors were concerned that the block had yet to receive the support of either university in the city.

But council officers said that an affiliation with Brighton or Sussex universities, BIMM or Bellerbys College would be agreed before building work starts.

Fears of over studentification of the area were also raised with a second block of 44 student flats just metres along the road already granted planning earlier in the summer.

The proposed student accommodation will see self-contained studio flats built over four floors with a bathroom and cooking facilities included in each room.

Green councillor Leo Littman said: “I was involved in the decision to turn down the previous application and I am pleased they have reduced the number of units and worked with issues that we brought up at the beginning of the year.

“Students coming to this city have to go somewhere.”

Fellow Green David Gibson said that the council policy aims for a balanced and mixed community had already reached an imbalance around Lewes Road.

Conservative councillor Lee Wares said: “In principle I quite welcome student accommodation being developed in particular parts of the city and particularly this corridor leading up to the corridors.

“But I do have concerns in particular when officers say parking stress deters people from bringing their cars, it doesn’t, it just makes the parking worse and worse.”