A library will be demolished and replaced with council homes.

Brighton and Hove City Council has had its plans to take down the derelict Hollingbury Library building in Carden Hill, Brighton, and build new homes on the site approved.

This means the derelict two-storey building will be demolished and a new three-storey, with one four-storey aspect, will be built in its place.

The council said the new building will house nine homes which will be a mix of four one-bed and five two-bed flats.

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They will all be let at affordable rates to people on the housing register.

The council said the homes will also be built to be energy-efficient to keep costs low for tenants, and all the flats except two will have a private balcony or terrace area.

There will also be a communal garden for residents, with trees planted to increase biodiversity at the site.

A communal roof garden will also be in place and will act as an "allotment style garden" to promote health living and wellbeing.

The council said cycle spaces will be available at the site however there will be no car parking.

Instead there will be electric "Car Club" parking spaces on the neighbouring road for residents to use. 

The existing building will be demolished (Image: Google Maps)

The plans for the development were approved by the council on June 10 despite a number of objections.

One person living close to the site said: "Replacing a low-traffic library with high-density housing will significantly increase local traffic, posing safety risks and environmental concerns.

"This will exacerbate parking issues, affecting accessibility for current residents. The construction of multi-storey flats will likely decrease the value of surrounding properties due to factors like noise, reduced privacy, and altered aesthetics.

"The size of the proposed building will cast shadows over neighbouring homes, reducing natural light which is vital for our well-being. Additionally, the obstructed views due to the building's height will drastically change the character of our area, impacting our quality of life.

"We understand the need for new housing but believe this development is inappropriate for our area. It disregards the well-being of current residents and fails to maintain the neighbourhood's character."

Someone else said: "I object to this as it is an overdevelopment within the plot of land available being too close to the boundaries in addition to being too high.

"It should be a maximum two-storey property in keeping with the surrounding residential houses in Carden Hill.

"It will also overshadow the direct neighbouring house's garden.

"Adding a further 9 residential dwellings with no parking facilities will increase traffic in a school area - this will affect pedestrians as it will increase traffic in a road which does not have the capacity.

"Additional parking in this area will also reduce visibility for pedestrians and cyclists alike, and will be dangerous for children walking to the nearby nursery, primary and junior school."

It has not been confirmed when work on the site is set to begin.