PLANS for new students flats have been approved - and they could include a tribute to people who died in the Blitz during the Second World War.

Labour councillor Nick Childs gave his support to the development on Lewes Road, Brighton, and asked if it could include a memorial plaque.

He wants the site, on the corner of Caledonian Road, to commemorate the 15 people who lost their lives during bombing in 1943.

The four-storey block is expected to include 60 student bedrooms and a ground floor shop or café.

Planning Committee supported his suggestion but the final decision on the plaque rests with developers, who include the family of the leftwing activist who founded Momentum.

The Argus: An artist impression of the development on Lewes RoadAn artist impression of the development on Lewes Road

Councillor Childs said: “There is a real demand for student houses.

"If we don’t provide appropriate accommodation for students in the city, it puts pressure on other areas of the housing market and pressure to create HMOs (houses in multiple occupation).”

Under the plans, the current Co-op building would be demolished and the store would move into vacant premises next door, councillors were told yesterday afternoon.

Conservative councillor Joe Miller raised concerns about parties on the roof and said that time limits had been imposed on the roof of nearby student flats at the Vogue Gyratory.

He suggested a 9pm to 7am curfew but Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee settled on 11pm – in line with nearby pubs.

Councillor Miller said: “We need to stop the proliferation of HMOs which in turn has an impact on council tax.

“I support the scheme. I like the design. I would encourage (the owners of) other similar types of single-storey to two-storey buildings to look if they can do similar to help us meet our housing demands.”

READ MORE: Plans to demolish supermarket to make way for student flats

Student housing specialist Alumno and FPC (Foundation Property and Capital) are behind the scheme.

FPC is run by Stephen and Ben Lansman.

Stephen Lansman is the brother of Jon Lansman, the Labour activist who founded the Momentum political organisation, and Ben Lansman is Jon Lansman’s son.

The scheme – currently named Ravilious House after the artist Eric Ravilious – would include communal rooms in the basement and house students from the Brighton Screen and Film School.

Six neighbours wrote to the council to object to the plans and a seventh had concerns about students living on the site but supported the redevelopment of the building.

Planning permission is conditional on the building including a minimum of 60 swift bricks – to help the migratory birds with nesting – and three bee bricks.

The developers are expected to pay the council a “community infrastructure levy” of almost £210,000.