Dover's former Charlton Green postal sorting office is to be turned into flats for the elderly.

The district council has granted planning permission for 70 extra care apartments in a £25million project.

The 0.69 hectare site will be developed by retirement housebuilders McCarthy & Stone and is designed to help people aged over 70 keep their independence.

The development will include accessible one and two bedroom apartments, along communal provisions including a homeowners’ lounge, on-site bistro, hair salon, and landscaped gardens, all with the added security of 24-hour staffing.

There will also be a guest suite so that friends and family can stay too.

Martin Brown, development director at McCarthy & Stone, commented: “We know that the number of people in the UK aged 65 or over is set to rapidly increase over the next two decades, and that almost two in five over 65s are interested in downsizing.

" Despite this, very little specialist retirement housing has ever been built in the UK, and the announcement of our new development in Dover is evidence of the fact we are committed to addressing this shortfall.

“We are excited to offer even more customers the opportunity to live an independent lifestyle in an attractive and convenient location, within easy walking distance of Dover’s popular promenade.”

Cllr Pauline Beresford, Dover District Council cabinet member for housing, said: “With an ageing population, it’s important that we provide a good mix of appropriate accommodation for older people looking to downsize in retirement, which in turn, can free up housing for growing families.”