Exciting plans to build a £7.1-million development on a central town site have been given the go-ahead. The 51 apartments for elderly people, to be built on land at the back of Ashby Link, were given the thumbs up this week by planners at North Lincolnshire Council.

Designs for the development, by the Hanover Housing Association, came in the wake of a report in January which predicted almost one in four of North Lincolnshire's population will be aged 65 and over in 2021.

The purpose-built development will provide self contained one and two-bedroom flats, each with a fully-fitted kitchen and bathroom. The scheme, known as Extra Care Housing, will feature a restaurant, hairdressing salon, laundry room, shop and a sensory garden.

Hanover's development manager, Heather Ford, said they were pleased it had been given the go-ahead. "Our housing is designed to ensure older people can live independently with access to care and support from an on-site care team," she said.

The development, to be built in partnership with North Lincolnshire Council and Bramall Construction, will include 24-hour cover via an emergency alarm system and the support of a manager.

It will be set in landscaped gardens and have wheelchair access throughout. Mike Welton, head of planning at the council, welcomed the decision, saying it meant a new mix of homes for the area.

"I hope it will add a greater mix of property to the area, giving additional housing close to Ashby High Street.

"It's an ideal location for a sustainable housing scheme."

He said a similar scheme, planned for the corner of Doncaster Road and Exeter Road in Scunthorpe, showed there was an interest by developers wanting to provide these types of housing schemes.