By Callum Cyrus

Neighbours have fought off plans to build a 138 bedroom student accommodation complex for a second time.

Developer Matsim had wanted to build a three and five storey student hall of residence in place of Richmond House, behind the Sainsburys in Lewes Road, Brighton.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee, meeting on Wednesday, November 20, overwhelmingly rejected the proposals with no votes in support of the application and only three abstentions.

The development would have backed onto the Round Hill area, a designated conservation area with Impressive views out into the South Downs.

Neighbours sent 102 letters of objection stating their concerns about potential damage to the view and with hosting more students in an area which is already packed with undergraduates.

Annie Remington speaking at the meeting on behalf of Round Hill residents said: “Round Hill has a strong sense of community identity resulting in good relationships between all the different kinds of people who live there.

"The long views provide visual and psychological relief to people in our area.”

The University of Brighton is backing the scheme in partnership with Kaplan.

It suggests students currently renting houses in nearby Hollingdean could be concentrated into a dedicated facility with 24 hour security and a purpose-built courtyard.

A spokesperson for the university refused to comment on the decision as it is not "directly involved” with the planning process.

Access issues hindered the application and with Roundhill Crescent lying behind the rejected complex, students could have used the neighbourhood to make their way home late at night.