PLANS to develop a 24-bed unit at a Darlington borough hospital will go before councillors next month.

Affinity Healthcare Limited wants to demolish an empty building at Middleton St George Hospital and build a new unit for women.

Dave McBeath, of agent Gelder and Kitchen, said that the application is part of the ongoing development of the hospital, which specialises in psychiatric care.

The hospital already has mixed wards and day facilities, but Mr McBeath said the new single-sex unit will provide better care in certain circumstances.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesperson said the application is likely to go before the town's planning committee in November.