Controversial plans for a budget hotel on the site of a disused magistrates’ court have been given the green light.

South Downs National Park Planning Authority has granted planning permission for the construction of a 59-bed Premier Inn and four shops on the site of Lewes Magistrates’ Court.

The committee followed the advice of the planning authority officers after developers made changes to the design following the deferral of a decision in October.

The news comes as a blow to the campaigners who had hoped that the building could be retained and used as a centre of excellence for film, TV and theatre production.

In a big day for the town, Lewes will also get its first full-time cinema in more than 40 years after the committee gave the go ahead for the conversion of a brewer’s depot.

The proposed Depot Cinema Lewes will see a three-screen cinema built within the existing Harveys’ Depot in Pinwell Road, Lewes.

The decisions were made earlier today at the park authority’s monthly planning committee in Midhurst.