PLANS have been drawn up seeking to convert a former hospital into homes and create a separate apartment block on the site.

Proposals have been sent for the redevelopment of the former Newton Community Hospital site on Bradlegh Road, Newton-le-Willows.

Plans seek to create 39 apartments, with the project including the conversion and partial extension of the existing former Cottage Hospital building to provide nine residential homes.

The application, submitted by The Torus group, also seeks permission to build a separate new three-storey building, containing 30 apartments.

The former hospital building was built in around 1924.

A design and access statement, drawn up by planning agents John McCall Architects, says: "The buildings on site are currently vacant and have not been used for several years and comprises the original Newton Community Hospital Building, several outbuildings, car parking area and surrounding mainly hard paved areas with trees.

"Following the completion of a new Hospital nearby, the site was sold in 2017 to Torus Housing Group with a view to the site being redeveloped and has remained empty since but is increasingly suffering from neglect and vandalism".

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The scheme seeks to create a mix of one and two-bed apartments for rent.

The statement adds this "will meet the Local housing need in term of tenure and type of accommodation" and seeks to minimise "the loss of TPO trees in and around the site".

The application adds that, following discussions with the council planning department, local councillors and the community, it was determined that "whilst the existing building is not listed or of a high architectural standing, it did have some local relevance to the existing community around the site".

Following further consultation, nearby residents living around the site "appeared to support a proposal whereby the existing building should be retained and acceptance that some new development on the existing site would be acceptable to help to support the viability of these works".

The proposed block "has been designed so as to pick up on elements of the existing building so as complement its form, yet be different, so that they have their own identities".

Standard consultation on plans to the public lasts until Monday, June 28.

A determination deadline has been set for September 2.