A listed Brighton building which has been empty for 75 years is to be brought into use.

For decades, a tiny flint-roofed building off London Road in Patcham, has sat empty as thousands of cars whizz by every day.

Now, after years of being treated as a dumping ground for the odd garden tool, plans have been submitted to give it a new lease of life as a home.

The proposal submitted by Brighton-based LCE Architects wants to turn the Grade II listed building in The Square into a one-bedroom house.

To make it financially viable, part of the proposal is to create another property to the north of it.

In the planning application Ewan Stoddart, of LCE Architects, said: “This design creates a sensitive private new home with little loss of privacy for neighbouring properties.

“The listed building, in its current condition, is nearing the end of its life and has the potential to be restored and given a much-needed use.

“It is our opinion that these proposed alterations enhance the special architectural interest of the property as a whole through the conversion of the abandoned structure into two private residential dwellings.”

According to developers, the flint and brick property has remained uninhabited since 1938.

Historians said the original use was not clear but it is thought to have been used as a two-room worker’s cottage at some point. Since then, it has been used as a place to store gardening tools before becoming fully vacant in recent years.

It was listed as part of the wider The Square area in 1999 and is also part of the Patcham conservation area.

The application has been put forward by Michael De Silva, of Gorham Way, in Telscombe Cliffs. The building and the surrounding estate has been in his family’s possession since 1938.

Comments are currently being accepted on the plans and Brighton and Hove City Council expects to make a decision on it by October 3.