Plans for 12-storey block of 336 studio flats in the New England Quarter close to Brighton Station have been lodged.
Watkin Jones, which built the student housing on the site of the former Co Op in London Road, is planning a co-living scheme on the site in New England Street.
These schemes are similar to student housing, featuring communal living areas, but designed to be let to young professionals.
Albany House ad St James’s House would be knocked down to make way for the block.
The application, written by Greenline Studios, says: “The development will comprise 2257 m2 flexible commercial floorspace (Use Class: E) and a mix of 336 co-living studio flats (Use Class: Sui Generis)
“In addition, as is typically found within co-living developments, there will be a range of residential amenity/ additional spaces and uses to support a mixed use development of this nature; including shared social facilities and wellbeing areas, landscaping, amenity space and functional accommodation such as laundry, cycle / limited accessible car parking, plant and refuse storage.
“Together these uses will deliver a range of flexible commercial units concentrated on the lower ground floors, and a selection of co-living studio types and shared facilities on the lower and upper floors.
“During construction, the scheme is expected to generate approximately 184 person-years of employment within the construction and associated sectors.
“This activity will contribute an estimated £15.1 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the local economy.
“Once operational, the development will support 156 gross permanent jobs, including building management roles and employment within the commercial floorspace. After accounting for additional factors such as leakage and displacement, this equates to 89 net additional jobs for local residents.
“The scheme will also support further economic activity through resident expenditure. With 336 co-living units, the development is expected to accommodate a predominantly working-age population, including approximately 263 economically active residents.
“These residents will contribute an estimated £5.63 million per annum in local spending, supporting an additional 29 net jobs within the Brighton & Hove economy.
“In addition to direct employment and expenditure effects, the development will contribute to strengthening the local labour market by providing accommodation suited to young professionals and workers in knowledge-intensive sectors.
“This will help support business growth, talent retention, and the continued development of Brighton as a dynamic and competitive city economy.
“Overall, the proposed development represents a meaningful and sustainable contribution to local economic growth, employment generation, and labour supply.”
Since the building of York and Elder, opposite to this proposal, New England Street has become a wind tunnel. I hope wind-tunnelling will be taken into account when designing the new building.