OWNERS of what was once a back garden can build a tiny house below street level.

Planning officer Stewart Glasser described the design as “lowering” the level of the land to build the two-bedroom home on the strip of land behind 1 Clarendon Terrace, in Kemp Town.

Mr Glasser told Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee that the garden was “long since hived off” so any harm to the heritage had already happened.

Two previous planning applications for a two-storey building on the site were refused on appeal as they were “detrimental” to neighbours living in Clarendon Terrace.

Neighbours sent eight letters of objection, with concerns about overlooking and overshadowing.

But Mr Glasser said the new-build would be below the wooden fence next to the neighbouring gardens and patios, so no one would see through.

Its front door will be in Chesham Place.

Councillors unanimously approved the plans.