An eyesore which blights a bohemian quarter is in line for a facelift.

A new area of shops, offices and homes is earmarked for a derelict site in the heart of the North Laine, Brighton.

Developers want to follow in the footsteps of the newly-regenerated Jubilee Way by constructing a seven-storey building on the corner of Portland Street and Church Street.

It is near to the award-winning Jubilee Library, a block of restaurants and bars which were recently constructed.

The site has been a vacant lot since 1997 when the previous building was demolished and has been described as "an undeveloped eyesore prone to fly-tipping, graffiti and vandalism".

The development from Rustington-based Hargreaves Properties would include seven offices, 21 parking spaces and 42 different homes, 40 per cent of them affordable.

It would also include four shops along the Church Street side which it is anticipated would be snapped up by independent retailers and an art installation made of illuminated sticks to reflect the artistic character of the area.

Previous proposals for office blocks and town houses on the site failed to become reality because no tenants could be found. But project manager Tim Farlham said there had been a regeneration of the central city district since then.

He said: "I would like to think we would be adding to the regeneration of the North Laine by complementing and continuing the improvements which have been going on down there.

"I think Brighton has seen a resurgence in office development and lots of companies have been attracted in.

"The city has changed for the better in the past few years and there has been a shift in the North Laine area. It has become a vibrant place for people to live and work in and the creation of modern new developments reflects this."

Peter Stocker, from North Laine Trading Association, said it would be good to see the empty building being used again and would welcome new shops and homes but he was concerned about the height of the building.

He said: "North Laine is a small scale place and it is that which makes it so nice and so special.

"A seven storey building will be out of keeping with the area and will seem even higher as it is going up the hill.

"I know we have the library now which is high, but even that was very small scale in comparison to some of the other plans."

The application has been submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council.

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