Controversial plans for a rest home to be turned into a private day school have been thrown out.

Campaigners today welcomed the news and said their protests had been worthwhile.

Councillors voted 6-4 against the proposal by The Drive Prep School in Hove at Brighton and Hove Council's planning committee last night.

The applicants wanted to expand their existing school in another building at The Drive with the new building housing 80 pupils.

But the 47 residents of nearby sheltered housing scheme Homedrive House set up a petition saying it would lead to more noise from the children playing in the back garden.

They also feared for youngsters at the school which is on a busy road, and said an expansion would put pressure on already stretched parking places and lead to even more traffic.

June Williams, house manager of Homedrive House, said: "I am really happy because obviously what we have been saying and protesting against has been listened to."

The applicants submitted a travel plan under which journeys would be staggered by car and many would be made by bus, bike and foot.

At last night's meeting the residents' case was put to the committee by Stanford ward Tory councillor Vanessa Brown.

She said: "There is extreme concern by people in The Drive about a school in this location."

She said there was sheltered housing close to the school and the building was also near the dangerous junction with Old Shoreham Road.

Tory councillor David Smith added: "You could get a lot of children making a lot of noise in the garden."

The school may appeal, particularly as officers had recommended approval.

Councillors also turned down continued use of a building in Bramble Rise, Westdene, for a nursery school.

Westdene Tory councillor Ann Norman said: "This is not a suitable for a school. It is semi-detached and it is not sound-proofed."