A CO-OP supermarket and a branch of Boots will be knocked down to make way for student flats – if the latest plans are approved.

The proposals have been put forward for Brighton’s London Road behind the Kings Education language college in Ditchling Road which backs on to the site.

The plan is to demolish the three-storey building, which also houses a vacant snooker hall, and build 232 student rooms.

If approved, the new block would still have retail space on the ground floor.

But it is not yet clear whether the Co-op and Boots would go back in or be replaced with new shops.

Planners have advised councillors to approve the scheme, which includes a launderette, gym and student lounge.

Heritage group The Regency Society supports the scheme, and said the current 1970s building would “not be missed”.

But neighbours have raised concerns about the height of the building.

The Brighton Society and the Conservation Advisory Group said the building was two storeys too high and would affect views of the nearby Grade I listed St Bartholomew’s Church from The Level.

Neighbours’ objections include concerns about the increasing number of students moving into the area.

Kings Education moved into the neighbouring site on the corner of Ditchling Road and Oxford Place in 2017.

It was previously occupied by the carpet firm Buxtons.

One objector wrote anonymously: “I live close to this proposed development and I am very concerned about the possible increase of 232 students into such an overpopulated area.

“We already have a high student and multiple-occupancy population around London Road.

“I am not against students but believe that rather than concentrating one demographic in one area, we should spread them out so that we have diverse communities.”

Another commenter wrote: “The more students coming into this area, the more noise, drunken behaviour and vandalism to parked cars. Not to say that only students behave this way but from my view of the street, when I hear noise, drunken behaviour or vandalism to cars, it is usually a young person who could therefore be a student.”

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has asked for swift boxes to be included in the building as many of the birds’ nesting sites are lost during developments.

If councillors grant planning permission, the developer would be expected to pay £233,000 towards open spaces and recreation, £72,000 towards public art and £23,000 for economic development, making £328,000 in total.

The scheme has been submitted by developer Curlew Opportunities, with Brighton firm Lewis and Co acting as the planning consultants.

The planning committee will make a decision on Wednesday.