A HOME owner is worried his property could collapse if the building next door is demolished.

The house adjoining Wayne Coley’s would be knocked down if plans for a new block of flats go ahead.

Mr Coley and husband Olly Carter were surprised when they discovered the odd way their 1926 house in Kingsway, Hove, had been designed when they modernised it four years ago.

Surprise turned to horror when they discovered the house next door is set to go as part of Agenda Homes’ plans to build an eight-storey block of 39 flats on the corner of Braemore Road and Kingsway. It would leave their first floor without support.

After moving in four years ago, Mr Coley and Mr Carter modernised the Arts and Crafts style house into their dream home.

During the renovation Mr Coley went to The Keep archive to look up the original plans.

He discovered the rear first-floor bedroom had no support between the two houses.

The “floating” design was a late addition to the build to extend the rooms in both houses and there is just a void underneath them.

Mr Coley said “We completely renovated the house from top to bottom. This was when I found the steels floating between the two buildings.”

This is the only point where the buildings touch. Demolishing the house next door would leave part of the bedroom with no support or wall as there is just a thin partition between the two houses there.

The couple were also shocked to find the new block of flats would stick out beyond the front of their home.

Mr Coley said: “The balconies wrap around the building so people will be looking into our home.

“We paid a premium for this beautiful 180 degree view, now we’ll have an eight-storey block of flats sticking out the front with people looking in at us.

“This is our forever home. We were happy as long as there was no impact on our building.”

Mr Carter said: “They would need to build a new external wall and gift it to us, with all the legal implications that involves.

“They said they would write a letter of comfort. This is supposed to detail what they will do and their intentions when it comes to supporting the wall.”

The couple understand why the flats are being built as until the developer bought the three houses which are set to make way for the new block, just four people lived in them.

Now two are used as Airbnbs for up to 20 people until the development goes ahead.

Developer Agenda Homes said it carried out extensive consultations before submitting plans.

CEO Jamie Barratt said: “I have spoken with Wayne and Olly and understand it is a big concern. But in terms of the project it is a detail. We do give attention to these details. If you don’t work with building regulations then you’ll find yourself not operating.”

Mr Barratt said the building would be intact and there would be minimal disturbance.

The planning application is expected to be heard later this year.