SENIOR councillors have given the go-ahead for a £3.2m investment in care for elderly people in Darlington.

Members of the borough council's cabinet this week approved the redevelopment of Rosemary Court, in the Lascelles Park area.

The authority had secured Government funding to create 14 new flats and refurbish 28 others on the site.

But cabinet members had to agree to nearly an acre of land behind Rosemary Court being sold or leased to the Hanover Housing Association for the scheme to progress.

Deputy council leader Bill Dixon said: "For many years, we had a land-locked piece of real estate that we couldn't do anything with."

The council will retain ownership and management of the Rosemary Court building, while Hanover will build a range of facilities for residents.

Residents in the new-look development will be able to live independently, with support from social services, care staff and district nurses.