Residents at Wellington Court in Batley only discovered pets were allowed when the policy was raised for routine review at a Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing meeting last November.

They say pets could be a health and safety risk in communal areas, especially for people with wheelchairs and walking frames.

The revelation sparked a protest campaign by the Wellington Court Social Fund.

After the petition was handed in, social fund secretary Amanda Stubley joined a focus group of housing staff and tenants’ representatives to bring more clarity to the policy.

She said: “I do think they can stop the policy at Wellington. It’s a sore subject here. I’m pleased that they are holding these meetings.”

But KNH said the focus group was only set up to help form new guidelines which will ensure tenants’ pets are not a nuisance.

The guidelines will cover good pet care, specific nuisances, how the policy is enforced and specific arrangements for keeping pets in sheltered or communal accommodation.

Cora Carter, chairwoman of KNH, said: “There’s a lot of evidence that having a pet is very beneficial, particularly for older people or anyone living on their own.”

“But we also need to recognise that not everyone fully understands the responsibilities of pet ownership, and this can sometimes cause problems for their neighbours.”