OUTRAGED campaigners may take out an injunction after plans to convert a historic building into a leisure complex were given the green light.

Brighton and Hove City Council has granted planning permission for the Grade II* listed Hippodrome, in Middle Street, to become retail outlets, a restaurant and a Vue cinema.

Members of the Our Brighton Hippodrome (OBH) group said the decision amounted to the “destruction” of the venue, which they claim could have been successful as a theatre.

The group claims the council had a conflict of interests as the owner and operator of other performance venues, and they are planning another protest.

A statement from the group said: “OBH will continue its fight to achieve the best outcome for the Hippodrome and is considering an injunction because of the council’s compromised position and its handling of the issue.”

The campaigners have attracted crowds at numerous rallies and gained support from celebrities including Dame Judi Dench, Dara O Briain, and Graham Norton in its quest to stop the plans going ahead.

A planning appeal against the £17.5 million project – which will include an eight screen cinema – was referred to the government, but was thrown out in September.

Group member and magician Paul Zenon said there was huge opposition to the scheme with more than 14,000 people signing a petition in favour of keeping it as a venue for live performances.

He said: “More than 12,000 emailed the council's planning committee about it which, by their own admission, is the largest number of communications they have ever had about a single project.”

Paula Murray, the council’s assistant chief executive, said: “Planning permission for the Hippodrome has been granted. It’s after an assessment of a business case to turn the building back into a theatre was found unviable by the district assessor.”

A demonstration is planned for outside Hove Town Hall on December 10 from 1pm.