AN old sheltered housing complex is being demolished - paving the way for a new development of affordable homes in Richmondshire.

Residents were moved out of the Oswin Grove scheme in Gilling West three years ago after a second round of flooding saw residents evacuated once again.

Originally opened in 1964, it provided 17 homes for older people needing supported accommodation.

They have all now been rehoused and the site will be used to create affordable homes.

“After the second floods we reluctantly took the decision to close Oswin Grove permanently - we simply could not guarantee that it would not flood again which was a very serious risk to our residents,” said local councillor William Heslop.

Subject to planning permission, Broadacres Housing Association will be building 11 affordable homes on the site once groundworks to cure the flooding issue have been resolved.

The new homes will be available for local people and are due to be completed during 2016.

A housing needs survey to determine exactly what sort of homes need to be built and what sort of tenure people would prefer - affordable rent or shared ownership.