A HAIR salon, gymnasium and spa bath will pamper elderly residents of a sheltered housing complex in Darlington, as part of a £1.5m redevelopment scheme.

Dalkeith House, off Tees Grange Avenue, which provides flats for elderly people, is to be extended and updated under the plans.

The aim of the redevelopment work is to provide a better quality of life for the complex's residents, and to help them live with greater independent.

Planning officials at Darlington Borough Council have recommended that councillors approve the redevelopment scheme when they discuss the proposals at a planning meeting on Wednesday.

Thirty units at the council-run Dalkeith House which still have shared bathroom facilities will be transformed into spacious and fully accessible living accommodation, designed to meet more fully the requirements of older people.

The improvements will also include the provision of a new hair salon, an exercise room and spa bath at the complex.

There will also be a lounge and caf for socialising, and a mini-resource centre providing computers for use by residents.

The communal facilities will be linked by an arcade providing a sitting and coffee area.

Other features of the improvements include glazing on doors, colour-coded wall and door paint for the partially-sighted, and removable cupboard doors.

Some of the flats will benefit from updated bathrooms and kitchens.

There will be increased space and access in the rooms and space for carer help when it is necessary.

A second, six-space car park, to accommodate ambulances, taxis and disabled parking, is also to be created at the complex.

A Darlington council spokesman said: "Older people are living longer and are increasingly choosing to live independently in the community. Sheltered housing schemes such as Dalkeith House have changed from accommodating those over 60 years to having an average of over 75 years and, occasionally, residents over 100 years of age.

"As a result, there is a need to provide more on-site facilities, such as hairdressing, caf, leisure facilities, etc."

The scheme is likely to be the first of a number to be approved by the council, as the Government brings in new standards for the care of elderly people.