Councillors have unanimously approved plans for a £1.7 million medical school.

The school, which will cater for 30 students of psychiatry, is part of an expansion of Brighton and Sussex universities' medical facilities.

The site in Nevill Avenue, Hove, is already home to Mill View Hospital, which will be visited by students as part of their practical training.

The building was commissioned by the medical schools and South Downs Health NHS Trust. It is hoped work will begin at the end of May.

It will house a 90-seat lecture theatre, library, seminar rooms, meeting rooms and office staff for 25 lecturers.

Councillor Bob Carden, chairman of the planning committee, said: "To have a teaching hospital such as this in the city is fantastic. This can only enhance the treatment people receive."

Conservative councillor Geoffrey Wells said: "It is a fine application. Anything for the advancement of medicine is good. I am all for it."

A Liberal Democrat councillor was unavailable for comment.

Dr Michael Rosenberg, chief executive of the South Downs Health NHS Trust, said: "This new building will be most valuable for medical students studying mental health and an important educational resource for staff."

The application was approved at a city planning meeting on condition a travel plan is carried out to assess how people will get to the school.

The council has also asked for the plan to include suggestions to encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transport and details of parking facilities for bikes.

Green party councillor Sue Paskins was happy with the application but felt the proposed building could be more ecologically friendly.

A design brief from LCD Archimed, architects for the project, detail sustainable features including underfloor heating and the use of recycled materials in the construction.

An earlier application on the site for a nursery was rejected in June 2003 because councillors felt it would be out of place in a residential area.

The application was altered and approved in May 2004.

Space has been left on the site for future development.