A new council housing office is to be built at a cost of more than £700,000.

Brighton and Hove City Council's policy and resources committee has agreed to a contract with Thomas Sinden Construction to build the new premises in Lavender Street, Brighton.

The three-storey office will have a curved roof and terracotta walls.

Proposals to replace the old temporary facility, also in Lavender Street, were first put forward in 2003 and were agreed by the committee last year.

A budget of £500,000 was set aside but members agreed to up the amount to £700,000 last February. The existing office, which is now closed, did not have adequate access, security or staff accommodation.

The new office is expected to be completed by next June.

The council has five housing offices around Brighton and Hove where tenants can go to discuss any issues they have and pay their rent.

Staff from the Lavender Street branch are still available for telephone and email enquiries and a housing management reception service is available from Priory House in Bartholomew Square, Brighton, during the closure.