COUNCIL officers have given a proposal to turn a hostel into five flats their blessing.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee looks likely to grant permission to convert Seaholme Hotel in Seafield Road, Hove into five flats when it meets on Wednesday after planning officers recommended to grant the application.

The advice is in spite of eight objections from residents, with concerns over plans to create roof terraces and balconies at the rear of the property which they claim would result in them being overlooked and would increase noise and disturbance.

Green councillor Christopher Hawtree and Conservative MP Mike Weatherley have also written to the committee raising their objections.