A PLANNING application has been submitted for work to create 10 new flats at a council sheltered housing block.

Lincoln Court in Acomb is set for a £1.4 million upgrade, with plans including a better communal area, entrance hall and kitchen.

Last month the council apologised to 20 elderly residents at the site as it was revealed they would have to move out of their homes for a year for the work to take place, after being told they would not need to leave during the construction process.

The application says: “The proposed works will benefit existing tenants of Lincoln Court and create a care and community facility for older people living locally.

“Additionally, the re-location of the boiler from Windsor House will allow for the clearance of this site and the proposed development of a new Centre of Excellence for Disabled Children.”

The council made the decision to close the neighbouring Windsor House in December 2017 and a review into the future of Lincoln Court was then carried out.

A statement says the building dates back to the 1960s and was extended and refurbished in 1991.The current proposals include plans to add 10 new dementia-friendly one bedroom flats to the facility, as well as replacing windows, carrying out essential maintenance work, creating a boiler room and improving parking.

Residents and the community were invited to have their say on the plans, and a report says: “Overall the works were described as being much needed and very welcomed by those that commented, with 68 per cent of recorded responses across all mediums either liking or strongly liking the plans.

“The development of these proposals will create an economical high-quality scheme which will secure the future of Lincoln Court, and responds to the needs of the existing tenants and the local community.”

A council spokesman said in December that residents will have to move out for the work to take place and apologised for the “unexpected disruption”.

He added that alternative accommodation for everybody living in the building and moving costs, including the price of new furniture and decorating works, will be paid for. And he said the local authority is “going beyond our legal obligations” to support residents.