THE CLIMAX for a historic Brighton cinema may have one more plot twist after council officers objected to the “sub-standard” flats set to replace it.

Councillors have been advised to reject plans to demolish The Astoria in Brighton at today’s planning committee and build new flats in its place.

Council officials have said the flats are not of sufficient quality to replace the grade II-listed building.

Planning officers said the overall standard of accommodation is not “considered acceptable” with flats with windows on just one wall having insufficient natural light, a lack of privacy and “vulnerable to potential noise disturbance” from the inner courtyard.

Other objectors to the development include The Theatres Trust and The Cinema Theatre Association who said the case for demolition had not been made and that the historic building could be restored and re-used.

A total of 12 residents and the local Conservation Advisory Group also object to the height of the new building and have called for a design more in keeping with the “historic context of the area”.

Developers ThreeSixty Development said the £14.3 million regeneration of the Gloucester Place site, which already has planning permission for a six-storey office, restaurant and residential block, would bring much needed housing to the city.

They said all 11 studio flats, five one bedroom, 34 two bedroom, 12 three bedroom and pair of four bedroom apartments flats met national space standards with 20 per cent exceeding the standards.

There are also basement and ground floor shops or offices for small businesses proposed and a space for North Laine community groups.

Developers said daylight assessments showed many rooms exceeding industry recommendations and others with levels “significantly better” than other similar city developments already with planning consent.

They added all studio flats would have at least two windows while larger flats will have three or more large windows.

Christian Davis, ThreeSixty Development’s transaction and development director, said the development would meet ten per cent of the city’s annual housing need.

He added: “The site has been derelict for a number of years, and we believe that the regeneration of the Astoria with a new community space for local groups to use, will bring a positive contribution to the local community and provide an attractive building to be enjoyed by our neighbours and future residents.”

Bill Randall, former housing committee chairman, said: "I can understand the officers' position on The Astoria but considering the housing crisis facing the city I believe the flats should go through.

"The proposed flats meet space and light standards and Brighton and Hove has many basement flats for example with little natural light.

"My main concern is whether flats will be affordable for local people on modest incomes, which is unlikely."