ALMSHOUSE type homes for elderly people could be built as part of new village development.

Plans have been put forward to build 31 new homes on land off Ramsey Road on the edge of Dovercourt and Ramsey.

The outline application, sent to Tendring Council, would be made up of three and four bedroom semi-detached and detached homes with "large gardens", garages and extra parking.

But there would also be 10 almshouse type bungalows for older people.

A design report sent to the council said: "The second part of the scheme is to provide a small development of one and two bedroom 'almshouse’ type dwellings with access from Mayes Lane.

"These units are single storey and would be constructed as terraces with courtyard gardens.

"They are designed for older persons and a condition limiting occupancy to those over 65 years of age would be welcomed.

"Not only with this type of accommodation meet a significant and under-represented need, it would also ensure that the use of the Mayes Lane access would be limited, while the scale of the dwellings would reflect other properties along this road."

The site set for the homes is rough grazing land between Ramsey Road and Mayes Lane with some former pig farrowing units and a block of stables in one corner behind Michaelstowe Old House.

The application added that 32per cent of the homes would be for social housing in the form of the almshouse type bungalows, which would be offered to a housing association.

It said: "An alternative would be for three ‘almshouse’ type units to be constructed and gifted to the local authority."

Ramsey and Parkeston parish councillor Tony Colbourne said: "I think 31 would be ok, I think the site is adequate to take that.

"And the almshouse type homes would be good, there isn't much of that in the area."

Tendring councillor for Ramsey Zoe Fairley, said: "It's a good thing when things like the almshouses are included in the application process, which makes it better for the community as a whole."

Tendring Council has final say on the plans.