Restoration plans for Stanmer Park have moved a step closer to fruition.

The £5.8 million project to return the Brighton park to its 18th century roots has been given the support of the South Downs National Park Authority.

Committee members voted in favour of the plans which could be given formal approval once the authority's planning committee chairman and director of planning agree on conditions around tree removal and screening of car parks.

The next hurdle for the project will come next week when the Heritage Lottery Fund board decide on the council's funding bid.

Scores of objections to the plans were written to the authority while the South Downs Society also raised concerns about the loss of trees and increased car parking on the site at the meeting this morning.

Planning committee members were also concerned about the creation of a 200 space car park within the park but said it was a necessary compromise to ensure that sufficient visitor numbers would come to the park.

The city council plans include the restoration of the historic Lower Lodges entrance and doubling its car park, a new kiosk with toilets, cycle hire and café, a Green Drive for pedestrians and cyclists, restoration of the listed Frankland monument and improvements to the village pond.

The park's Walled Garden will be turned into a working garden with cafe, garden centre and education facilities and the removal of Citypark depots to make way for a car park and meadows.