PLANS to build 51 apartments near Hereford's Old Market shopping centre have been been submitted.

The social housing provider, Herefordshire Housing Group, has drawn up the application to build the homes on a site off Blackfriars Street.

It has not been confirmed where exactly the flats will be but the Hereford Times understands it will be behind the furniture importers shop on a plot which is currently largely empty.

The proposed homes are made up of "three to four storey blocks" with a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments.

A spokesman for Herefordshire Housing said: "This exciting scheme plans to deliver a total of 51 apartments for affordable rent, private rent and affordable rent for the older persons, homes that are much needed within the county.

"If the plans are approved for the scheme Herefordshire Housing plan to be on site in early 2017."

The Herefordshire Housing Group is a not-for-profit group which provides home and support services to people across Herefordshire and the surrounding counties.

The group combines the Independence Trust, provider of wellbeing services, and Herefordshire Housing, a housing association.

It is the largest social landlord in the county and each year they aim to deliver 50 new homes.

The spokesman said: "The site has come up for development. It is a great opportunity close to local amenities and walking distance to the city centre too."

Herefordshire Housing Ltd works with nine other housing associations in a consortium called Spectrum Development Partnership, which combines resources and expertise to bid for funding to build new houses throughout the West Midlands.