The University of Brighton has put on hold its plans for a new library at a £100 million city centre regeneration project.

The university has opted to defer the construction of its new seven storey academic building which forms part of the development.

The delay will allow the university to ensure the plans for Circus Street can best meet its future needs in a rapidly changing UK higher education sector, the university said.

The demolition of the former fruit and vegetable market and its redevelopment has been delayed for 18 months as developers U+I opted to renegotiate contractor agreements.

Developers said plans for the rest of the project will remain as per the plans granted consent in September 2014.

The plans include The Dance Space, a new home for South East Dance, 142 new homes, 450 student bedrooms in a managed halls of residence and 38,000 sq ft of new office space.

The site allocated for the new academic building will be landscaped to form part of the public space at Circus Street pending decisions on the timing of its future development.

In the interim, the University will remain in St Peter’s House and will continue to invest in the development and upkeep of its Estate at its City campus.

Demolition works preparing the site have resumed with construction work expected to recommence later this year.