B&B plan for landmark lighthouse

The lighthouse is currently on the market for £850,000

A 175-year-old lighthouse in East Sussex could be turned into a bed and breakfast.

The Belle Toute Lighthouse Preservation Trust has submitted a planning application to open up the Grade II-listed building for public use.

The lighthouse, on top of cliffs at Beachy Head, was put up for sale for £850,000 earlier this year.

Eastbourne planning officer Andrew Battams said the council supported the bed and breakfast idea in principle.

But he said the lack of vehicle access and car parking space meant that officers would have to recommend borough councillors reject the application when they meet.

Without planning permission... we will need to withdraw our plans for the purchase of the property Belle Toute Lighthouse Preservation Trust

The Belle Toute Lighthouse Preservation Trust said in its application that the building's interior and exterior would not be changed.

The trust's Rob Wassell, from Surrey, said in a statement to the council: "Without planning permission our objectives will not be able to be met and therefore we will need to withdraw our plans for the purchase of the property."

Belle Toute, which boasts five bedrooms and several other rooms over three floors, has been owned by Mark and Louise Roberts since 1996.

It was a working lighthouse until 1902, since when the building has been a private home, a tea shop and the setting for the BBC drama, Life and Loves of a She-Devil.

In 1999, Mr and Mrs Roberts employed specialist engineers to lift and move the structure 17m (56ft) back from the cliff edge because of the threat of coastal erosion.