Developer SUSD Ltd was this week granted permission to turn the Grade II listed former art gallery into 11 flats.

Eastbourne Borough Council planning committee gave support to the application on Tuesday night. It replaces an approved plan for eight flats.

Director of SUSD Peter Harris, who grew up in Eastbourne, said, "It is great to have received the backing for this amended plan. It allows us to maintain more of the original fabric of the old manor house and art gallery, which is so important to Eastbourne's history."

SUSD reduced the level of parking included in the amended plan from 11 to seven spaces. This was the result of feedback from local residents who favoured preserving green land at the front of the building, cornering High Street and Borough Lane in Old Town, over creating additional parking. The developer supports local authority efforts to create more sustainable development and reduce reliance on private vehicles.

Residents will be invited to a meeting in the next two months to discuss good neighbour policies and the management of the development.

Work is not expected to commence for six months.

Proceeds from the £950,000 sale of the Towner helped fund the new Cultural Centre, currently being built next to the Congress Theatre, which will soon house the Towner Collection.