TWO new elderly care homes are on the cards for Darlington at a cost of £2.4m.

On Wednesday, planning councillors are expected to approve planning permission for two 60-bed care homes and associated car parks at Winton House, I'Anson Street, off Whessoe Road, and Hundens Park, Hundens Lane.

Applicant Gary Lewis, of Gary Lewis Care Homes, owns three similar care homes in the Tyneside area.

He plans to transform the council-owned plots into modern elderly care facilities which go beyond current Government legislation.

The plot at I'Anson Street consists of four flats and 22 bedsits which were recently closed because the accommodation proved difficult to let.

The Seventies building will be replaced with a three-storey structure overlooking North Park incorporating a tower and bay windows.

Land at Hundens Park, which is currently in use as a bowling green, will be developed into a T-shaped two-storey home and day care facility using a shared access with users of the park.

The bowling club has agreed to move to the nearby Eastbourne Sports Complex while a disused play area to the east of the land has now been dismantled and moved, also to the complex