A wildlife watchdog is urging an alternative future for a historic mansion and surrounding parkland.

Brighton and Hove City Council's wildlife advisory group wants Stanmer House to play a pivotal role in the proposed South Downs national park.

Hove-based developer Cherrywood Investments has applied to the council for planning permission to restore the empty mansion and turn it into an art gallery and two flats.

The developer also wants to build eight houses behind the council-owned property.

But Susan Wilson, who chairs the wildlife advisory group, said the house and gardens would be an ideal place for people to learn more about the Downs as, for example, an information and education centre for people.

She said: "The council should recognise the huge potential that Stanmer House and park could have as a shop window to the new national park.

"There are huge opportunities to maximise public use and benefit from this beautiful and historic Grade I listed building and the surrounding landscape."

The house and park are likely to be inside the future national park and the Sussex Downs Conservation Board earlier this week objected to parts of the proposed redevelopment.

Until 1980 the house was used as offices by the University of Sussex but, apart from a few weeks when it was occupied by squatters, it has since been derelict.