A property company has called for a full debate on the future of a vacant farm building site.

Rok, which owns Brighton based building company Llewellyn, wants to build offices on Patcham Court Farm and has made an offer to Brighton and Hove City Council.

But the authority, which has long earmarked the site for offices, is now considering other options as the market for office building weakened.

Richard Boxer, Area Director of Rok's property development arm Rokeagle in Crawley, said: "Comments regarding the demise of the office demand for the site are misleading.

"Although large scale office demand is in retreat, demand for smaller office units which are attractive to local firms remains strong.

"While it is easy for developers to make substantial offers for land, the true test is whether such offers result in a purchase."

Mr Boxer said Rok was prepared to back its offer for Patcham Court Farm, not only with a purchase commitment, but also with a commitment to start development.

The first occupier of the development would be Llewellyn's Brighton building team, run by Terry Nitman, which has put the site on the top of its preferred relocations list.

Mr Boxer said: "Whatever decision is made by the city council on the site, we believe it is essential Patcham residents and the local ward councillors be fully consulted at all stages.

"We would be very happy to make our proposals, put together by local architects Miller Bourne, for the site available for public debate."

Llewellyn currently has an office in North Street, Portslade but is looking to move to new, modern offices within Brighton with easier access to the A23 and A27. The farm is right on top of the junction between them.

The council's policy committee decided last week without discussion to look at other options for the site, which was cut off from farmland when the Brighton bypass was built.

Two bidders dropped out and although the offer from Rok was noted, its offer was lower than those of the other two.

Property officer Angela Dymont said: "The dwindling office market and the collapse of the development deal on this site present the council with an opportunity to revisit its development potential and rethink the possible options."

Patcham Tory councillor Geoffrey Theobald has suggested a motel on the site.

Wednesday July 23, 2003