An independent school is planning to create a £1.5 million arts centre.

Brighton College says the facility, which would adjoin its Victorian building in Eastern Road, would be a "landmark" structure.

The college has been planning the Alexander Arts Centre for many months and has managed to raise half the money through donations. It would pay for the other half.

The glass and brick centre with a stainless steel or zinc roof would be a teaching facility for visual and other arts. It would also be used by community groups and the colleges dance school.

Bursar Darren Davies said: "The whole reason for the building is we have, in terms of results, a reputation as one of the most outstanding art departments in independent education.

"We have fantastic results but we have less than adequate facilities.

"Their home is quite a poor, old and inadequately lit building. The idea was to give them a building that was a landmark for the college and something that the students will benefit from."

The building has been designed by the Miller Bourne Partnership. It would be located on the west side of the college, near the road. Mr Davies said a lot of time had been spent making sure the centre was in keeping with its surroundings and working with the planning authority.

The building would finish off the final quad of the original Victorian school.

He said: "As you approach, going up Eastern Road the school itself is quite dramatic. This building would be on the end.

"Directly in front of it you will see a three-storey building. It has been designed around three pods.

"When the building was put up in the 19th Century, the final quad was never finished. The college ran out of money 140 years ago. This building finishes that off."

If permission is granted, building work is expected to take about 12 months.

Friday November 4 2005