A POPULAR beauty spot famous from film and TV is to be protected with new sea defences.

Cuckmere Haven’s cliffs near the Seven Sisters for generations, with the landscape inspiring countless artists, filmmakers, and photographers.

The famous stretch of coastline has featured as a location on screen for films such as the Oscar winning Atonement, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Hollywood blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

The Argus: BBC filmed a scene for Luther, starring Idris Elba, in Cuckmere HavenBBC filmed a scene for Luther, starring Idris Elba, in Cuckmere Haven

More recently, it has been used as a backdrop for the filming of the BBC television series Luther, starring Idris Elba and the Worzel Gummidge Christmas special.

Coastguards cottages have stood on the cliffs for generations, with the view from the properties described as one “the most iconic in the UK,” by Tourism South East.

However, the homes are under threat from the elements.

A spokesman for the Cuckmere Haven Save Our Shores organisation said: "The coastguard cottages are a vital tourism asset. Losing them would be detrimental to the wider tourism economy.”

Cuckmere Haven attracts visitors from right across the world and is particularly popular among Chinese tourists.

Locals have been told that the view from Cuckmere Haven one the most popular mobile phone screensavers in China.

The Argus: James Mcavoy and Kiera Knightley starred in Atonment, filmed at the cliffsJames Mcavoy and Kiera Knightley starred in Atonment, filmed at the cliffs

However, The Environment Agency had said it could no longer afford to maintain flood defences protecting the cliffs from erosion.

The Cuckmere Haven Save Our Shores group has been campaigning for permission for new sea defences to be built which could last for 85 years.

In a statement, the group said: “The potential impact of intervening in nature, needs to be balanced against the touristic and aesthetic consequences of losing irreplaceable cultural heritage assets of the South Down National Park.”

Plans for a “modest seawall defence scheme” received 277 letters of support with an online petition amassing more than 4,000 signatures

There were just seven objections, including from Sussex Wildlife Trust which opposed the plan because of the loss of chalk habitat.

Natural England also put forward an objection, stating that the marine chalk around the area was a "scarce commodity" and of global significance.

Plans have now been approved by the South Downs National Park’s Authority’s planning committee.