Plans to turn a hotel in the centre of Kenilworth into student accommodation have been withdrawn just as the town council objected to the scheme.

Planning permission had been requested at the end of June to turn The Peacock Hotel into a 37-bed, house in multiple occupation (HMO).

The application said the Warwick Road venue could be run by the University of Warwick for postgraduate students.

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

Following its latest planning committee meeting, Kenilworth Town Council objected to the proposal on the basis that the facilities would have been "inadequate" for tenants.

"This has a seriously detrimental impact on the residential amenity of existing and future residents," the council's comment said.

KTC also raised concerns about parking, bin collections, traffic and noise.

The objection note added: "In addition to this objection, members asked that WDC officers request the applicants renew the justification for the change of use permission (originally secured in 2013 from a hospitality consultancy and University of Warwick), in light of various circumstances having changed over the nine year period (e.g. new developments of flats on Warwick Road, and the Kenilworth Neighbourhood Plan)."

When the application was first submitted a supporting report submitted by industry consultant Hospitality Business Improvement Management said The Peacock Hotel 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".

But just weeks after the plans were submitted, they have now been withdrawn.

Kenilworth Nub News has contacted Callingham Architects for comment.