Developers have been given permission to build the first family homes in a seafront area for more than 50 years after national planners snubbed councillors.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee rejected proposals for the former Sackville Hotel site in Kingsway, Hove, in June.

They claimed that the scheme failed to respect the surrounding conservation area.

However, after Brighton businessmen Robert Webb and Michael Deol appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, they have now been given the go-ahead.

Work is expected to start on the development, which includes a modern seafront terrace of five six-storey town houses, in the coming months.

Mr Deol said: “We’re delighted that the appeal has been upheld and look forward to creating this landmark for Hove. We want to work with the council to put this building up.”

The pair, who own a number of restaurants and nightclub Revenge, bought the site near the junction of Sackville Gardens for £1.5 million in 2006.

Original plans to restore the 45-bedroom hotel to its Fifties heyday with the creation of a new five-star complex and flats were halted when the roof of the building collapsed in 2006.

A revised plan, which also includes a separate block facing Sackville Gardens with two flats and two maisonettes, was rejected by the council’s planning committee in March.

The same scheme was rejected again in June despite the Government’s new national planning guidelines being introduced.

The local authority said it had fears about the impact the work would have on the neighbourhood and how it would fit with planned development at neighbouring 191 Kingsway.

Following the hearing, inspector Mary O’Rourke said: “The appeal proposal has been carefully designed to make good use of the site and would enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.

“It would achieve the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development by providing new homes, creating a high quality built environment, enhancing our built and historic environment and would contribute towards building a strong, responsive and competitive economy.”

Costs were not awarded.

A council spokeswoman said: “We are disappointed that the inspector thought these schemes were acceptable designs.”