Developers have won their battle to turn an disused office block into a large budget hotel.

Brighton and Hove Council refused permission for Anston House, Preston Road, Brighton, to be converted into a hotel with 244 beds offering bed and breakfast only.

Anston Properties appealed and a public inquiry was held earlier this year. Inquiry inspector Christopher Jarvis has allowed the appeal and granted permission.

The nine-storey office block opposite Preston Park on the A23 was built in 1966 and was used for most of the time until 1987 by Southern Water.

Since then it has been empty and no takers have been found for the building because it is outdated as offices.

The inquiry heard that it could cost up to £2 million to demolish the building and put another office block there.

Mr Jarvis said it did not seem likely the site would find takers even if a new office block were built there. It was well outside the main office area. Another office block in Preston Road had been granted permission for conversion into a hotel in similar circumstances.

Mr Jarvis said fears by residents of Dyke Road Drive about noise and disturbance from the new hotel were unfounded as most guests would use the front rather than the back of the building.

He added: "There appears to be specific and real interest in the proposed hotel development by a number of operators."

The inspector said Brighton and Hove Council was right to protect its stock of employment land within the town.

He felt there would be economic benefits to the area by converting the building into a hotel.

Town planner Michael Parker, whose company was involved in the appeal, said: "It is an eyesore at the moment. I think it is very much in Brighton's favour to have more hotels and this is an excellent location."