A Kenilworth town centre hotel could be turned into student accommodation if plans are backed by Warwick District Council.

Planning permission has been requested to turn The Peacock Hotel into a 37-bed, house in multiple occupation (HMO).

The application says the Warwick Road venue could be run by the University of Warwick for postgraduate students, if the scheme is approved.

Planning permission was granted for a similar project in 2019, but the development was delayed due to the pandemic.

The application said: "The intention is to let this property out to The University of Warwick, who have already shown an interest and would be able to let and mange for a minimum of three years.

"This would therefore increase turnover to local businesses in Kenilworth.

"As the property will be managed by The University of Warwick, they will implement a management plan should any noise, nuisance or maintenance issue arise.

"Tenants will have access to specific telephone numbers during office hours and out of hours, therefore a 24-hour management plan can be provided."

If approved, the scheme would see little change to the building, except for the addition of three new windows.

There is parking space for 23 cars, and the application says cycling storage space will be built if necessary.

A supporting report submitted by industry consultant Hospitality Business Improvement Management said The Peacock will continue to struggle financially if it is not converted to an HMO.

"I have looked at the trading levels for the hotel over the last five trading years and note a significant decline in earnings, primarily through reduction in turnover and a dramatic increase in costs, which is very much the norm for this style of three star privately owned property in this part of the country," the report said.

It added: "The Peacock's sector of the hotel and restaurant market is a very challenging environment to be in at present and I regret to say that I don't see any appreciable improvement in this area for the foreseeable future."

And a letter from the university to Callingham Architects - the agents behind the application - said the accommodation would "meet quality requirements" given the "very convenient location and public transport services".

"We are pleased that recent conversations between representatives for The University of Warwick and The Peacock Hotel have concluded that it is possible to reconfigure existing hotel accommodation to suit post graduate requirements and meet our high quality standards," it said.

The university said it would expect to let and manage the accommodation for at least three years.

Residents can comment on the planning application here.