REDEVELOPMENT plans for a supported housing complex have been unveiled after measures were put in place to rehouse its existing residents.

A planning application has been submitted to Waverley Borough Council seeking permission to carry out the changes at Manormead, on Tilford Road.

The proposals involve the demolition and rebuilding of the 28 supported housing flats – which houses 36 residents.

Other facilities are also proposed including a new chapel and library, along with a new access and parking area.

Manormead is a complex made up of the supported housing and a 36-place nursing home, and is run by the Church of England Pensions Board.

Both the nursing home and the supported housing are available to former clergymen, their families and other people closely associated with the church.

As previously reported by The Herald, a feasibility study has been carried out which showed that the supported housing was falling short of modern standards.

The decision was taken to rebuild the flats to provide better facilities and improved disabled access to its residents. The nursing home is unaffected.

"The board's architect has produced excellent plans for the rebuilding of the supported housing section of Manormead and these plans have now been submitted to the planning department for consideration," the board's secretary and chief executive Shaun Farrell said.

News of the redevelopment plans had previously prompted fears from the residents that they would be forced to move miles away for up to 18 months while the rebuilding was carried out.

There were particular concerns about the prospect of couples being separated with some cases of one partner living in the nursing home, while the other lives in the supported housing.

However, Mr Farrell told The Herald that arrangements to house the 36 residents temporarily have now been put in place. "All the existing residents have been successfully rehoused and it will be possible for them to return to the new accommodation, if they so wish," he said.

"The board has ensured that the residents who have been rehoused, are not financially disadvantaged in any way even if they do not return to Manormead.

"It is hoped that the building will be ready by the summer of 2007."

Those wishing to comment on the planning application should send their views to Waverley Borough Council quoting application number WA/2005/2026 by November 4.