Brighton: Lewes Road development with new pub, restaurant and halls

Moulsecoomb Manor and the Tithe Barn in Lewes Road will be restored as part of plans approved by Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee.

The purpose-built student rooms will be across four blocks.

“We are delighted to be granted permission to take forward this exciting development which we believe will bring huge benefit to the local community in Moulsecoomb and the wider city of Brighton and Hove,” said Richard Upton, chief executive of Cathedral, owners of the site. 

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The development is expected to bring an estimated 62 jobs to the local area and an investment of over £150million into the city.

The gardens on the site, and the listed buildings, will be opened for public use and enjoyment, as well as delivering “much needed” student rooms right next to the University of Brighton’s Moulsecoomb Campus with a gym and well-being studio. 

Land has been allocated for a Brighton Bikeshare hub in the northern part of the development, next to Moulsecoomb Station.

The restoration of the Manor House and Tithe Barn will incorporate a pub, restaurant and events space, guest bedrooms and car parking.

Moulsecoomb Social Club is also being offered the opportunity to work with the developers to restore the building and build its membership.

A spokesman for the developers said: “Brighton has a shortfall of more 4,000 student bedrooms in the city which is taking too many affordable homes away from families.

“These proposals will go some way to addressing that shortfall, putting student bedrooms in the heart of a university campus rather than taking land in residential and commercial areas.”

The developer plans to hold an events programme inside the listed buildings and in the gardens at Moulsecoomb Place.

Areas of the listed buildings will be designed to “highlight the history of the site”.

The Prince Regent once bestowed some hardwood doors to the Manor House and was said to be a frequent visitor to the house, playing his flute in the dovecote which has been demolished for many years.

The dovecote being used as inspiration for some of the architecture in the proposals.

The pub room and event space in the Manor House will double up as affordable community space for local groups to hire.