New plans for an urban

village have been put forward for derelict former railway land.

And the architects who designed them say they will be more acceptable to the community than other schemes for the site because they will generate less traffic.

The scheme for land next to Brighton station includes homes, a cafe, pub, open market, organic sales outlet, school and a sport and leisure centre.

Its main commercial area would be a 200-bedroom hotel.

Hotel

RH Partnership Architects, of Bond Street, Brighton, has now sent the plans to Brighton and Hove Council and to Railtrack, owner of the largely-derelict site.

Railtrack and other firms including Sainsbury's have produced a scheme including homes, a hotel, parking and a store for the land.

But opponents say the store and parking are unacceptable and should not be considered.

Brighton and Hove Council now has to prepare a planning brief for the site.

Its main feature is 525 homes ranging from single-person flats to family housing, all with garden terraces and courtyards.

The buildings would be low-rise blocks, based on the traditional street pattern of the area, similar to the neighbouring North Laine district.

On the western end of the site next to the railway, there would be homes in a terrace combined with 800 parking spaces to replace the existing car park.

There would be new access to this car park from the west by a bridge over the railway lines as well as access from the east.

Consultant Professor Stephen Adutt said the scheme would provide hundreds of homes for the people of Brighton.

He added: "It will be economically viable and environmentally conscious."

Director Andrew Francis said the scheme had been put forward by the architects at their own expense in response to local feeling.

He added they would be delighted if any or all the ideas were accepted by Railtrack and the council.

Sara Bragg, speaking for the community group Brighton Urban Design and Development, said RH's proposals were interesting and she welcomed the high proportion of car-free housing.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.