A former clothing factory could be turned into 41 sheltered housing apartments for the elderly.

An application for the three storey building in Ark Lane, Deal, will include one and two bedroom homes, a communal area, refuse area and 16 car parking spaces.

Permission was previously granted for 14 apartments, but now Churchill Retirement Living has increased the number to cater for an ever increasing ageing population.

In a planning statement by the developers, it said there is a shortfall in the district of housing for the elderly which needs to be addressed.

Churchill Retirement Living has specialised in apartments for older people since 1998.

A typical sheltered development consists of a block of one and two bedroom apartments, each with its own private door, entrance hall, lounge, dining room, fitted kitchen and bathroom.

Ark Lane is not at threat of flooding, according to the plan.

A report by the Environment Agency states there is a one in 200 chance of tidal flooding in this area in any given year.

For more information visit dover.gov.uk/planning and search for reference number 16/00502.