A derelict care home in Hove is to be demolished and replaced with a bigger and more modern building.
The seafront site, known as Lawnscroft Nursing Home, in Kingsway, Hove, currently contains a disused two-storey detached property.
The owner, Maria Holliday-Welch, of Princes Crescent, Hove, has been given permission to demolish the 10-bedroom property.
Brighton and Hove City Council Planning Committee approved Mrs Holliday-Welch’s proposal to build a 34-bed nursing home, up to five storeys high and with a basement car park.
The proposed nursing home is similar in height to the neighbouring Princes Marine Hotel in Kingsway but taller than the house next door in Princes Crescent.
Councillors expressed concern that the basement would take only five cars and that there would be only one lift.
They also said that the boundary walls should be graffiti-proof.
A report to councillors said that Brighton and Hove City Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) welcomed the prospect of the extra nursing home beds.
The PCT said: “A significant number of older people and older people with mental health needs are still placed outside of the city.”
The scheme is similar to one that has already been given approval and nine of the 12 planning committee members voted in favour of it.
Councillor Denise Cobb, who represents Westbourne ward, was the only councillor to vote against it, reflecting the views of a few people living near by who objected to the scheme.
