THE public has been urged to give views on plans for the future of an 18th-century house and gardens.

A public exhibition will take place at Moulsecoomb Place in Lewes Road, Brighton on Saturday, October 1 from 11am to 4pm on a range of options to restore the Grade II listed building and its surrounding gardens, as well as development of some neighbouring student accommodation blocks.

Proposals by developer Cathedral Group include improved access to nearby Moulsecoomb railway station, greater public access to the gardens and historic buildings and creating an “affordable and sustainable” place to get food and drink.

Existing student flats could also be demolished and replaced with taller buildings to house more students.

An earlier consultation took place in July, attracting more than 250 responses, with developers refining and adapting their plans to local feedback with a view to submitting a planning application.

Richard Upton, CEO of Cathedral Group, said: “Our goal is to enhance the old buildings and gardens, making the whole site more accessible right up to Moulsecoomb station, and create a sustainable and lively place which brings benefit to the local community and the wider city.”

Plans for the manor house on the site range from creating a “wellness retreat”, a horticultural nursery and restaurant, an art hub or even a city farm.

The public consultation will also be available online for people to respond to from October 1 to 15, including a survey to submit comments, at www.moulsecoombplace.com.

The proposed development would neighbour the “Big Build” at the Moulsecoomb campus of the University of Brighton, which recently saw five new accommodation towers constructed to house new students.

More than 800 students were welcomed into the new towers of Mithras Halls when they opened their doors last year, with a new pedestrian flyover across Lewes Road opening to the public earlier this month.