Sussex archive centre approved by Brighton council

The current archive centre in Lewes is no longer fit for purpose

A local authority has given the go ahead to build a £19m archive centre.

East Sussex County Council said The Keep would house more than 900 years of Sussex history at Woollards Field near Falmer.

Councillors from Brighton and Hove City Council granted planning permission at a meeting on Wednesday.

Councillor Lynda Hyde, who chairs the planning committee, said it would be "huge value to the general public and academics alike".

"Along with the community stadium and new American Express headquarters this is another major development happening in the city during these difficult financial times," she said.

Written records

Work is expected to begin next summer, with the centre opening to the public in 2013.

The current archive and record office at The Maltings in Lewes has been in operation since 1949 and is deemed no longer fit for purpose.

In 2006, the National Archives inspectors said work on a new record office should be started within five years.

The project is a partnership between the county council, Brighton and Hove City Council and the University of Sussex.

The new centre will house more than six miles of archives including written records, maps, plans, films, photographs, prints and drawings.