A derelict Brighton office block is to be converted into a hotel.
The northern half of Mitre House in Western Road, Brighton, has been empty since 2001.
But a company called Tareem has been given permission to turn it into a 131-bedroom hotel by Brighton and Hove City Council planning committee.
The plans, approved this afternoon, include adding a fourth floor to the 1930s building which was for many years used by the Inland Revenue.
The building’s brick-clad facades would also be rendered and given new metal windows.
An entrance and reception would be created by converting a shop at 150 Western Road, with a corridor leading to the hotel.
The developer behind the scheme has not yet announced which hotel would occupy the building, although it is thought to be aimed at one of the budget chains.
Councillor Lynd Hyde, chairman of the planning committee, said: “This puts a long-empty building to good use, creates jobs, boosts tourism and brings welcome new life to that end of Western Road.”
Planners accepted that the building was too outdated to be economically modernised for office use.
They also said that a hotel would generate no more car trips than would office use.
The conditions attached to the planning approval restrict deliveries to between 9am and 6pm in Hampton Street at the back of the building.
But another condition means that guests will have to arrive and leave using the Western Road entrance.
In a letter of objection, Councillor Jason Kitcat, who represents Regency, the ward affected, wrote: “The change of use to hotel will have an impact on local residents.”
The Green Party councillor said he had concerns about “serious implications for safety and the free movement of buses” in Western Road.
Councillor Kitcat added: “A hotel in this location is likely to attract stag and hen parties as well as late night revelers wanting somewhere near to the city’s clubs.
“Their return to bed is also likely to disturb residents who already have more than their fare share of noise and disturbance from the city’s night economy.”
I predict that this venture will be a huge success and that it will not remain a budget hotel. If it eventually moves toward a higher level within the hotel market I also forsee that surrounding shops will also see an upgrade. Sorely needed in Western Road which is pretty crummy.
As a big hotel in a purely urban setting it could help raise Brighton’s game to provide a wider offer than just the sea and conference trade and become a very sophisticated destination hotel,kicking the stag and hen trade into touch. But it would take a few years to achieve this.