CONTROVERSIAL plans to build six blocks of flats up to eight storeys high on the former Amex House site have been approved.

The plans will see 168 homes, parking spaces, shops, and enough office space to accommodate 2,000 staff built on the site in Edward Street, Brighton.

Councillors made the “difficult decision” despite 96 letters of objection from local residents, many of whom attended the planning meeting to fight the plans.

Derek Peacock of White Street said: “We are pro development and pro city plan but the development we have before us today is not the right scheme and we ask that you will reject it.”

Developer First Base has agreed to pay almost £1 million towards a number of local schemes. These could include extra school places, a pedestrian crossing, a digital real-time bus information display, improved open spaces and public art.

Concerns were raised about parking, design, and failure to meet the 40 per cent affordable housing target, as well as problems with the public consultation.

Labour councillor Adrian Morris said: “I really feel sorry for the people of White Street. They’ve had to suffer the new Amex building and now with this development the impact on this area is going to be huge.”

Cllr Julie Cattell spoke in favour of the plans: “This project will help address the need for good quality office space for small and medium-sized enterprises in the heart of the city.”

Neighbour Adrian Hart said residents felt insulted by the consultation process.

And a community booklet outlining objections said people living in the area felt that they had been “treated with contempt”.

Mr Hart said after the meeting: “Three cheers for those that had a bit of guts and voted against these proposals.”

During the debate Green councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty said that the poor consultation with the community swayed his vote against the scheme.

Speaking for the developer, Phil Wade said First Base had held four consultation events and three drop-in sessions.

He said: “Any suggestion we have not consulted is simply not true.”

Councillors raised concerns that only 20 per cent of the housing would be affordable when the council normally requires at least 40 per cent.

Labour’s Nancy Platts said: “We have a desperate need for housing in the city.”

Work is set to be finished by the end of 2020.