Plans for more student flats with roof terraces, a gym and a dance studio have been submitted.

Developers have put proposals to Brighton and Hove City Council for ten more flats in a tower block in The Furlong, off Lewes Road, Brighton.

The iQ student accommodation building currently has 213 beds in shared flats and studios.

The new flats would be built in the retail unit at the bottom of the block which has been left empty.

In a letter to the council, planners said the flats would provide 15 more student accommodation spaces in “an established academic corridor”.

The Argus: A bird's eye view of the new plans. Left is the ground floor and right shows the first floorA bird's eye view of the new plans. Left is the ground floor and right shows the first floor (Image: BHCC)

Toby Huntingford, lead planner at RPS Consulting Services, said: “The area has a high demand for student accommodation bed spaces which this proposal will help to address.

“The proposals will be delivered alongside new and improved gym, dance studio and flexible social facilities which will integrate more successfully with further amenity spaces in the block across from the site.

“The proposal will also activate part of the public realm which is currently inactive due to the vacancy of a retail unit.”

Space above the empty retail unit will be turned into seven separate roof terraces.

The Argus: The block already has space for 213 studentsThe block already has space for 213 students (Image: BHCC)

In the shared flat, which has space for six students, there will be a terrace from the communal kitchen.

All students will be able to access the gym, dance studio and study space. The plans also include new bicycle parking spaces.

Mr Huntingford added: “The proposals within this application are put forward on the basis of being car free and do not seek to increase the off-site car parking provision.

“This will help to reduce the number of journeys made by private car and accordingly be of benefit to local air quality.

“It is considered that this is particularly appropriate given the proximity of Moulsecoomb Railway Station and the frequent bus services serving the Lewes Road corridor.”

There will be a consultation on the plans on March 28 before a decision is made.