A double garage at the bottom of a garden is set to be transformed into a £140,000 starter home.

Property developer Mike Knowles had originally planned to knock down the garage, which is in the grounds of a listed townhouse in Brunswick Place, Hove.

But after consulting planning officers at Brighton and Hove City Council he decided to convert it instead.

Mr Knowles said the 30sq m area could be transformed into a perfect starter home.

It would cost around £40,000 to convert the building to install a bathroom and open plan room with corner kitchen, living area and bedroom with a folding screen for privacy.

Velux windows would be put in for extra light, the 6ft high garden wall would be extended so the property would not be seen from the road and a private patio garden would be fenced off.

Mr Knowles, who bought the property in April, said: "Right now it is a run down 1960s garage at the end of a garden but it could quite easily be transformed into a unit for someone to live.

"It would have little visual impact on the road or house as it would be hidden behind the wall. It would also be more spacious than a lot of studio flats, has no direct neighbours and has even got its own patio - big enough for barbecues and things like that.

"I think it would be an ideal home for someone trying to get on the housing ladder."

Tim Denning, of the East Sussex branch of the National Association of Estate Agents, said conversions of this type would become more common place.

He said: "There is a shortage of new developments in the South East, so people are going to have to resort to this kind of thing more and more.

"There is not a first-time buyer market in Brighton and Hove anymore - there is just no affordability.

"People are having to look at different solutions and something like this is going to be a lot more affordable than other options - I think it sounds like a great idea."

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