NEW plans outline developers desires to build student accommodation on the site of a supermarket.

The flats would replace the existing Co-op store on the corner of Lewes Road and Caledonian Road in Brighton.

The planning application says the current building would be demolished and, in its place, a three or four storey building would be built if the scheme is given the green light.

The building would include 60 student bedrooms, each including an ensuite shower room as well as “cooking and storage facilities”.

There will also be a communal space in the basement and bike storage.

The Argus:

However, there will be no car parking provided due to “site constraints”.

But the road would not be left without a Co-op store.

The supermarket would be “relocated to 58-62 Lewes Road to replace the existing arrangement”.

This site was previously occupied by a Morrison’s M Local store, but is currently vacant.

The planning application has been submitted by the Co-operative Group Limited, Alumno SPV and FPC Limited.

The Argus:

Developers originally considered a five-storey development, but reduced this to three or four storeys after taking into account the surrounding architecture.

A designa and access statement read: “While the site is located in an identified tall building corridor (defined as six storeys or more) a five storey development was not considered appropriate on this Site as it would have been out of scale and not in keeping with the prevailing scale and heights on this stretch of the Lewes Road shopping centre and side roads where the adjoining residential terrace adjacent to this double-fronted site is two storeys in height.

“The scale and height would have a harmful impact on some neighbouring residential dwellings due to loss of outlook and daylight to windows.”

The application also outlined why the location of the development would be optimal for students.

The Argus:

It stated: “Lewes Road is one of the four main routes into central Brighton and the site is therefore conveniently located and has a wide range of local services and amenities within a short walk.

“Lewes Road is known as the ‘academic corridor’ due to its strategic location to a number of higher education institutions including Brighton and Sussex Universities, which are largely located along, or adjacent to, this route.

“Inherently, Lewes Road is considered to be the main student area in Brighton and is a popular student neighbourhood.”