A PAIR of development bids could bolster the borough’s stock of supported living accommodation.

The council is hoping to open a block of apartments for elderly residents with extra care needs.

Meanwhile, private firm the Heathcotes Group has applied to convert a seven bed family home into accommodation for people with learning disabilities.

Both bids, in Ashton-in-Makerfield and Hindley Green, respectively, are now with the council’s planning department for consideration.

They come as the town hall has been praised for delivering, and working with private firms to produce, a range of housing schemes across the borough.

The council led plans for the former site of Walkden House on Priory Road in Ashton will provide 20 apartments, including communal garden facilities.

The building was previously residential flats but was demolished last year. The site is currently vacant, according to documents submitted to the town hall.

“(The apartments) provide a comfortable, flexible home for older residents that can change in line with their needs to provide further stability during retirement years,” they add.

Neighbouring properties have been issued with consultation documents on the scheme last month and the town hall has set a decision target date for early April.

Chesterfield based Heathcotes Care has applied to convert a property adjacent to the St John the Evangelist Church on Thomas Street, in Hindley Green.

An eight bedroom residential care home for people with learning disabilities is planned, creating jobs for around 20 staff, with eight on site during the day and three overnight.

The accommodation will "promote integration of the service users into the local community", according to planning documents.

The council has set a decision target date for March 18.

At a recent meeting of the confident places scrutiny committee, members were told 948 houses were built in the borough in the last year, marking the first time in a decade a government-set target has been met.

A proportion of these new-builds were supported living schemes – with more scheduled for the next two years – the committee was also told.

Chairman Cllr John O’Brien told officers: “This caters for all of our residents, not just a few. It’s for the young, the old, those who are disabled or who have special needs.

“I don’t think in all the years I’ve been on the council I’ve seen something that is as encompassing as this, and I thank you for that.”