PLANS for a centre of excellence for the arts in a disused court building have been approved.

South Downs National Park planning committee this afternoon granted planning permission to Lewes Repertory Theatre [LRT] to convert the existing Lewes Magistrates’ Court building into an academy for film, TV and drama production.

The planning committee agreed with the authority’s officers who recommended that the proposal was an acceptable use of the site and did not constitute a major development to the shell of the existing building.

After the decision made at Midhurst today, it was a case of mixed emotions for LRT campaigners as the court building still looks set to be demolished to make way for a 59-room Premier Inn and four shops following the granting of planning permission for that rival application in December.

Vic Ient who represented the LRT application on the day said that the granting of permission vindicated hours of hard work from all involved with the bid.

He added: “You never know, the agreement between the MoJ and this offshore company could not eventually be completed.

“You never know, things might run like they did with the Hippodrome.”

Margaret Paren, South Downs National Park Authority planning committee chairwoman, said: “The committee did grant planning permission for the demolition of the building and construction of a hotel and four shops and that remains extant.

“We understand that contracts are being exchanged between the MoJ and [developers] Quora on that site but it’s perfectly possible for any exchange of ownership to fall through for one reason or another and should that happen the MoJ could decide to go forward with this other proposal for the site.”