A BUDGET hotel is set to be built in Dudley, despite concerns about parking at the nearby archives centre.

Dudley planners gave Travelodge the go-ahead to build a 78-bedroom hotel on the site of the former Royal Brierley Crystal factory site in Tipton Road.

Members of the Friends of Dudley Archives and Local History Service, who believe the development would exacerbate existing parking problems.

Honorary secretary, Janet Lea, who had lodged an objection on behalf of the group, said there were "too few" spaces on the archive's car park and several of the spaces were often taken up by mobile library vehicles.

"Even when these vehicles are not present, the parking capacity is very limited," she said.

"Visitors to the building have, by necessity, been forced to park on the unmade area of land adjacent to the archives - considered to be an over-spill parking area and now the subject of this planning application."

Her concerns were echoed by Councillor Sue Ridney, who said although she had no objections to the hotel being built, she was concerned about the parking situation.

Speaking at Tuesday's Development Control Committee meeting, she said: "Having visited the archives building a couple of weeks ago, there was some parking going on at the site and it was felt that when we are to move other departments to the site, namely the art gallery and museum, then it would cause a lot of parking problems.

"We were told that there is room for parking at the side, but this is now being used for the hotel complex."

However committee members were told there was room for an additional car park to be created next to the centre, which could be extended to create up to 20 extra spaces.

Councillor Keiran Casey added: "I think it’s a really good application and a really good bit of regeneration for that particular area. I understand the issues of parking but they can be addressed.

"For me, it’s good to see that businesses such as this one is acknowledging Dudley, the attractions we’ve got and the regeneration that we have in place.

"It’s good that they want to come to Dudley and provide for people who want to stay during their visit."