SCORES of local residents have objected to proposals to bring a Halesowen pub back into use and create HMO housing for six people in part of the building.

Mr Singh Bhandal has applied to Dudley Council to refurbish and extend the Black Horse on Manor Way and to reopen the pub and restaurant, which has been closed for around a year.

Plans also include a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) living space for six people on the lower ground floor of the building, which was previously the pub manager's accommodation.

HMO living involves sharing part of the accommodation.

It applies to both bedsit-style housing and shared housing where a group of people who are not related share a house or flat.

More than 23 letters of objection have been received from residents of roads including Cloister Drive, County Park Avenue, and Manor Abbey Road on the grounds of concerns over possible anti-social behaviour from HMO residents and congestion on Manor Way.

The Lapal Canal Trust is objecting to the pub's use of the lower car park which is owned by Dudley Council saying if it is allowed it could derail the restoration of the No.2 canal which joins onto the site.

A letter from trust chairman Dr Andrew Hardie stating the trust has asked the council if it can buy the car park.

His letter states: "Should the council decide to sell the land to the owners of the Black Horse the opportunity to restore the Dudley No.2 canal at this critical location, in our opinion, would be lost forever."

Dudley Council's Historic Environment Officer recommends the proposal be refused, stating in a response: "The proposed extensions in terms of their siting, design and scale would harm the significance of the host building and harm the significance and setting of the disused Dudley No.2 Canal (Lapal Section), an Archaeological Priority Area."

Halesowen South councillor Ray Burston said: "I can't comment on the actual application as I'm on the planning committee, but I'm not a great fan of the HMO aspect as it could turn into a situation where it's accommodation which is rented out on Airbnb."

The application states: "The proposed development will bring the premises back into use as a pub/restaurant which can be viewed as a valuable community asset.

"The proposed development is a far better option for the site than development that would result in the permanent closure of the pub."

It also states the the appearance of the building, which is in greenbelt and is "a mix of poor modern architectural styles" would be improved and jobs such as bar, kitchen and administrative staff would be created.