PLANS to develop student accommodation in Dudley town centre have been given the green light by planning chiefs.

A planning application was submitted by J H Dant Property in June to covert flats on New Street to a house of multiple occupancy for student accommodation.

Under the plan, flats one to six of New Street Chambers would be converted to contain 12 student accommodation units.

This month planning chiefs have recommended the scheme for approval to transform the first, second and third floors of the building.

Each floor would house four ensuite bedrooms with a shared kitchen/dining area and bathroom, planning documents state.

The building is currently part of the Dudley Town Centre Conservation Area and planners say the project will not impact on the "historic character" of the area.

Dudley Council's officer's report states: "No external alterations are proposed and as such the proposal would not have any detrimental impact on the general visual amenity of the area or detrimentally impact on the historic character and Dudley Town Centre Conservation Area and the proposal accord with design and heritage policy."

Recommending the scheme for approval, the report concludes: "The provision of an HMO would provide a specific type of low cost housing positively contributing towards meeting housing need and the needs of future residential occupiers.

"The proposals would not result in any significant external changes and would therefore not have a detrimental impact upon the character of the Conservation Area."