A NEW “student village” could be built in the grounds of an 18th century manor house.

Grade II listed Moulsecoomb Place, built in 1790, is currently home to a student advice service for the University of Brighton, with student accommodation built on the site of a former plant nursery in the 1990s to house 163 students.

However, the existing flats could be demolished and replaced with taller buildings to house more students under proposals by developer Cathedral.

The plans include restoration of the historic gardens, improved access to the 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.

The Argus: An aerial image of Mouslecoomb Place and the surrounding areaAn aerial image of Mouslecoomb Place and the surrounding area

A spokeswoman for Cathedral said: “The intention is to restore Moulsecoomb Place, the tithe barn and the gardens, converting them into facilities that bring community benefit and are enjoyed and used by many. 

“The student accommodation next door is enabling development and will be high quality. 

“We are currently open to ideas as to how the site is used and the space that can be converted includes the listed buildings and gardens, working within planning constraints.

“Cathedral aims to create something that benefits local people and the wider city which will benefit local residents, students and people from across the city.”

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

A first consultation into the proposed development, which concluded at the end of last month, drew more than 250 responses, with another planned for later in the year.

Developers then plan to submit a planning application to the city council to regenerate the site.

The development would neighbour the “Big Build” at the Moulsecoomb campus of the University of Brighton, which has had five new towers built to house students.

The towers of Mithras Halls in Lewes Road, which welcomed over 800 students in September last year, range from eight to 18 storeys tall and were named after parts of Brighton and Hove - Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.