PLANS to demolish sheltered elderly housing and build 22 two-storey homes in Middlewich have been submitted to Congleton Borough Council.

Dane Housing has submitted the proposals to create affordable family housing to rent at Chadwick Court, off Queen's Drive.

The sheltered housing was closed and all residents suitably rehoused in November last year.

A spokesman for Dane Housing Association said: "The company has resubmitted its planning application for Chadwick Court, Middlewich, and intends to build 22 affordable family homes for rent.

"This proposed development responds to Congleton Borough Council's housing need survey for the area, where the provision of affordable housing is fundamental to maintaining a sustainable community in Middlewich.

"Currently we have 150 families awaiting family housing at affordable rent or shared ownership in Middlewich and our proposals will assist in tackling these increasing housing demands in the borough which has some of the highest housing prices in the country."

Town and borough councillor Paul Edwards said while he supported affordable housing he would have preferred a different use for that site.

He said: "I don't mind housing going there but I would have preferred to see the extra care village built because it was older people there before."