Chichester Festival Theatre (CFT) has been given the green light for a £22m redevelopment after local councillors approved planning permission and funding support for the scheme.

The venue is to demolish all extensions added to the Grade II-listed building after 1962 and revamp the original hexagonal auditorium; as well as adding new foyer-side extensions.

A back-of-house extension and a new outdoor piazza are also included in plans approved by Chichester District Council's (CDC) area development control committee (south).

Meanwhile, CDC has also pledged to support CFT in its bid to secure funding for the plans, with an investment of £500,000 to complement £1.5m from West Sussex County Council.

The local authority capital funding from both the district and county councils will also help support the theatre's application for support from Arts Council England.

CDC deputy leader Myles Cullen said: "Not only will this directly and indirectly support around 350 local full-time equivalent jobs, but it will help to maintain the theatre's position as a leading international venue."

Eileen Lintill, cabinet member for leisure and wellbeing at CDC, added: "By supporting the theatre we are helping to make sure that we protect its future and help it to build on its success."

Details: www.cft.org.uk

Image: Peter Trimming