But town planners have restricted the use of the helipad at Gardners Books in Whittle Drive to 31 landings and take offs each month.

Residents living in Sevenoaks Road and Dallington Road and the Sunbury Farm Residents Association all complained about the hardstanding being used for helicopters landing and taking off.

They said the noise was unacceptable and drivers on the bypass were often distracted by helicopters flying overhead.

Lee Watson, an agent for Gardners Books, said the firm had a number of related businesses within the UK, all of which are run from the headquarters in Whittle Drive.

Mr Watson told members of Eastbourne Borough Council's planning committee on Tuesday night, "On occasions it is necessary for the directors and senior management from the Eastbourne team to visit these sites either to oversee day to day running or to attend meetings.

"An average take off and landing from the site takes approximately 30 seconds and flight paths, where possible follow roads, dual carriageways etc and avoid where possible, flying over residential areas."

Committee members agreed to granting planning permission with conditions that helicopters take off and land between 8am and 8pm and more landscaping be planted to act as a visual and noise reduction barrier.