A HOTEL in Kenilworth looks set to be converted into student accommodation.
Warwick District Council planning chiefs are expected to approve plans for The Peacock Hotel in Warwick Road at an upcoming meeting.
The proposal would see 37 bedrooms created along with 20 parking spaces.
But it has received a number of objections from residents concerned about traffic, parking, air quality, noise and waste around the building.
One resident called the town an ‘overflow for Warwick University’.
He said: “Kenilworth is a small pretty historic town and does not need to be turned into an overflow for Warwick University. If you pass this application you open the floodgates for others.
“The university needs to look to their own land and continue their building there for their own use and not use opportunists out to make a fortune from probably overseas students who are only in transit and would never become part of our community, then we start again two years later with the same lack of interest.
“This could also mean 36 students, possibly 36 cars in and out of an already difficult road to join.
“Some of our apartments back straight onto the car park. This could mean disturbances at all times day and night with the hours they keep.”
Others said the town was lacking in visitor accommodation.
One objector wrote the loss of the hotel would be a ‘retrograde step’.
Despite the number of issues highlighted, planning officers have recommended the proposal be granted.
They concluded traffic would not increase significantly and have recommended a ‘management plan’ for the building to mitigate against noise and waste.
The final decision is expected on Tuesday (September 10).
