Two developments potentially bringing hundreds of jobs to the city have been given to go-ahead.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee yesterday unanimously approved £30 million plans to turn a derelict site near Brighton station into homes, offices and a hotel.

It is described as the final piece in the New England Quarter.

“Low carbon” proposals for the disused nine hectare site between the railway station and the Jury’s Inn Hotel in Brighton - known to planners as Block J - were brought forward by developers Square Bay.

It has been given permission for a 94-room hotel, bringing about 50 jobs, as well as 147 homes, 53 of them affordable, and 3,000sq m of offices providing space for about 200 jobs.

The three blocks will have solar panels generating up to 100kw of electricity and roof top allotments will be provided to some residents.

It will include a play area and a public square while the “greenway” route from the station to New England Road, Brighton, will be completed.

Developers have been asked to contribute more than £750,000 to the council, which includes £337,000 for improvements around the station and £150,000 for The Level.

The plans were developed after the local authority refused permission for a 42-storey Beetham office tower on the same site.

For the full story see today's Argus.