Plans for a large office block next to Brighton station have been welcomed as a “desperately needed” addition to the city.

The five-storey development has been proposed for the New England Quarter and would include a children’s playground, conservation area and space open to the public.

It is slightly larger than original office block proposals which were granted planning permission in 2006.

The development has received support from the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership and Seeda, which commended it for providing additional employment opportunities.

Some conservation groups have complained that the development could obscure views of nearby St Bartholomew’s church but it has been recommended for planning approval by council officers.

Tony Mernagh, chief executive of the city’s economic partnership, said: “I welcome this as more desperately needed commercial space, particularly because the developer seems serious about building in these troubled economic times.

“It also ties in very nicely with longer term plans to redevelop parts of New England Street into a new commercial quarter which could become home to the city’s burgeoning digital media sector.”

Heidi Copland is head of planning at DMH Stallard, which acted as planning consultants to the developer, Northern Ireland-based McAleer & Rushe Group.

She said: “Good quality, new commercial premises are pretty scarce in Brighton. There are a lot of old buildings which have been refurbished but many company these days look at what can be offered by new buildings.”

According to Ms Copland, the developers have already received interest from companies who may wish to move into the new block.

The £200 million scheme to regenerate the former railway goods yard east of Brighton station into the New England Quarter has been one of the development success stories of the past few years.

So far, hundreds of homes, offices and a large Jurys Inn hotel have been built, some of which have been commended for their quality.

Planning permission for the new office block will be discussed at a council meeting tomorrow.