A Stafford hotel building could be turned into a 27-bedroom house in multiple occupation.

MD Properties is seeking permission to change the use of 65-69 Lichfield Road, currently known as the Abbey Hotel and Windsor Hotel.

The existing building has been used as hotel accommodation for around 45 years, after being converted from five substantial Victorian houses, a design and access statement submitted as part of the application said.

The former gardens were converted into a car park.

The statement added: "The building has recently been internally refurbished to a high standard and maintained externally.

"There will not be any alteration externally to the building.

"The proposal seeks permission to create a total of 27 bedrooms; nine on the ground floor, 17 on the first floor and one on the second floor.

Each bedroom has an en-suite facility with a bedroom area.

"The proposal includes two kitchen areas, a lounge and a sitting room on the ground floor. Access to the site will be by the existing access which is off the Lichfield Road.

"Traffic movement will be significantly reduced by the change of use as nearly all the rooms as a hotel would have visitors with a car.

"But as a HMO (house in multiple occupation) car ownership will be reduced as all the facilities required are within walking distance."

The proposal has sparked a number of objections however.

A Silkmore Crescent resident said: "Two kitchens are insufficient, as are the communal spaces."

A Wolseley Road resident said: "I believe it'll increase crime in the area (and) annoyance for neighbours. Being a hotel meant customers would leave – changing this a large amount of people would be constantly there and attract the wrong people to live there because it's more affordable.

"We do not need more people coming to live in Stafford.

"Hospital, doctors, roads cannot handle the amount as it is."

A Beaconside Close resident said: "This proposal represents an over-intensive use of the property.

"High-density occupancy is incompatible with the character of a quiet residential street and will materially harm neighbouring amenity.

"High-turnover occupancy patterns are associated with increased noise and disturbance.

"This is unsuitable for a family-focused residential area and will harm the quiet enjoyment of neighbouring homes."