CAMPAIGNERS claim increased parking as part of a planned homes development will keep nearby air pollution levels above the legal limit.

The University of Brighton and developer U+I’s plans for the Georgian Preston Barracks site in Lewes Road, Brighton, include 369 homes, 1,338 student bedrooms and a new home for the university’s business school.

Environmental campaign group Brighton and Hove Friends of the Earth (BHFOE) is objecting to the proposed increase in parking on traffic and air pollution grounds.

The group claims the proposed development, which is being decided by Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee today, risks delaying compliance of nearby roads with the legal limits for nitrogen dioxide.

Chris Todd of BHFOE said: “The increase in traffic and congestion arising from the development would be directly attributable to the approximate 28 per cent increase in car parking on the site.

“It is somewhat ironic that the University of Brighton is behind a development that will increase air pollution.

“Apart from the fact that it actively promotes its green credentials, its vice chancellor was recently warning of the need to urgently tackle air pollution.

“At the same time its academics have done groundbreaking work in this field and have strongly criticised the Government’s poor response to the whole issue.

“It is quite easy to resolve – cap the car parking at current levels for the whole site.

“That way traffic levels and pollution will not be made worse and public health will not be at risk.”

An air quality assessment by the city council found that pollution levels to the south of the barracks in Hollingdean Road, the Vogue Gyratory and Lewes Road south of the Vogue Gyratory, currently “exceed standards for the protection of human health”.

The council’s Air Quality Action Plan 2015 states there are about 175 premature deaths due to air pollution in the city each year.

A University of Brighton spokesman said: “The entire scheme has been designed around enabling and encouraging the use of public transport and improving access and facilities for cyclists, pedestrians and electric vehicle users.

“Almost 90 per cent of our students and over half of our staff at Moulsecoomb already travel to the campus using sustainable means.

“The transport plan that has been developed will minimise the impact on traffic on Lewes Road and there will be no overall increase in the total number of university car parking spaces.”