Plans by Liberal Democrats to earmark an historic house as a downland resource centre have been rejected.
Councillors wanted the restoration of Stanmer House in Brighton to include areas set aside for educational and public use as a down-land national park centre.
The Lib Dem leader on Brighton and Hove City Council, Paul Elgood, said: "The house is very special and its setting is amazing, with potential boundaries for a national park."
Councillor Elgood said there was no mention of Stanmer House in the council's draft Local Plan and it was in an ideal position to be a downland national park centre.
He added: "The house is a derelict beauty and is full of potential. There is no better site for a centre and we believe it will attract interest from visitors and schools."
The move was rejected by Labour councillors who said there was already a planning application to restore the house and use it for housing and as an art gallery.
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