Anger at plans to build office block in Brighton city centre

People living near Church Street, Brighton, say the proposed office block on the corner of Portland Street will "tower" over nearby properties.

The Argus has trawled through more than 1,800 planning applications made to Brighton and Hove City Council over the past six months.

By comparing the number of objections from the community, we can reveal these plans were the tenth most controversial.

Plans to build four-storey office block in Brighton city centre

Planners hope to build a Class E office building – with a roof-top terrace – together with cycle parking and landscaping on the derelict site in the North Laine.

However, residents have criticised the plans online, saying the proposals are not in keeping with the area.

One said: "I object to the proposed development. It will tower over the nearby residences, blocking light that some people who can barely get out of their homes need.

Plans to build four-storey office block in Brighton city centre

"There will be a loss of privacy for local residents, who will not only be overshadowed but also anyone within the proposed structure will be able to see into their homes.

"It will be an eyesore, out of character of the area, dwarfing the nearby buildings.

"It is already a difficult area for car users to traverse, with narrow one-way streets, and increased traffic would mean increased congestion and pollution, also making the area more dangerous for pedestrians."

Plans to build four-storey office block in Brighton city centre

Another said: "I wish to object in the strongest possible terms to this proposed development.

"It is too tall and completely out of scale with the streetscape, overshadows residential properties and restricts their light and view.

"A perfectly reasonable mixed development with residential properties along Portland Street was approved some years ago but seems to have been dropped.

Plans to build four-storey office block in Brighton city centre

"It would have been a good use for a long-derelict site. It is questionable whether more office accommodation is required in Brighton, but more housing is certainly needed."