PERMISSION has been granted for the demolition of a derelict block of sheltered flats in Farnham's Ridgway Road and the erection in its place of 18 new homes.

Langham Court was home to 43 self-contained sheltered flats for elderly people up until July last year when its last residents were relocated.

Owners Mount Green Housing Association, which acquired the building in 2010, plans to redevelop the site to provide six, four-bedroom homes, six three bedroom, four two-bedroom flats and two one-bedroom flats.

Just over a third of these will provide affordable housing with a mix of rental and shared ownership properties.

Following amendments by the developer, including the provision of extra car parking spaces, Waverley Borough Council's western planning committee approved the plans last week.

However, councillors did insist on a number of robust conditions, chiefly concerning a bin store at the front of the development which must be screened from the street scene.

Carole Cockburn, councillor for The Bourne, said: "When I first saw what was proposed here I was horrified. But I'm delighted now to see the changes.

"Although this is a very traditional, neat and crisp area of Farnham, I accept we have to accept some modern buildings within that."