A businessman's £2.5 million vision to transform a building labelled the "ugliest in Hove" has been given the go-ahead.

Ali Kosari, who bought the Babylon Lounge on Hove seafront five years ago, is unsure when work will start on the revamp but yesterday said the "gods were smiling."

Speaking after the application was approved by planning councillors, Mr Kosari said: "It is fantastic news and I am extremely happy.

"With Falmer, the King Alfred and now the Babylon Lounge being approved, the gods are obviously smiling down on Brighton and Hove.

"We will have a few drinks to celebrate and then we'll think about when work will start."

Charles Meloy, of architects Lomax Cassidy Edwards, the team which was also behind the design of the award-winning Jubilee Library, said the transformation would take between six and eight months.

The new leisure and entertainment complex would include a live music stage, conference facilities and a wedding venue.

Incorporating a nautical theme, the club's two bars would be refurbished, an ice cream kiosk upgraded and a beer and sculpture garden built at the rear.

The capacity of the venue would be increased from 536 to 695 but staggered closing times for the bar and restaurant would mean less people would leave at the same time.

Nearby shelters used by elderly people during the day would be demolished and replaced with new transparent shelters to avoid drug dealers and street drinkers congregating at night.

Mr Kosari's original application was turned down a year ago after hundreds of residents objected, fearing they would be disturbed by noisy revellers on their way home.

Only 11 objections were received for the current application.

Mr Kosari has included a taxi pick-up point in the revised application and councillors agreed the plans on the proviso travel plans are drawn up advising taxi drivers only to collect from this point.

John Small, representing the Conservation Advisory Group, was concerned about the plans.

He said: "This does look like a lumpen building. It is considerably higher than what is there at present. This is an improvement but I fear it might spawn similar applications.

"Clones of bars and cafes might appear along the seafront as is the case between the two piers in Brighton."

The majority of councillors were in agreement with only one, Councillor Averil Older, voting against the plans.

Conservative councillor Carol Theobald said: "It is a pretty ugly building as it is now and I think this will really improve it.

"This is a better scheme than the last one and I am a lot happier about it this time."

Labour councillor Delia Forester added: "This is such a huge improvement on the previous scheme and the existing building.

"It is a splendid application and I think it's going to be great."

Thursday November 3 2005