LUXURY apartments look set to become social housing homes on the old Willmotts spectacle factory site in Evesham.

Evesham and Pershore Housing Association has approached KingsOak South Midlands, which re-developed the factory into 28 luxury apartments and re-named it the Case Factory, to buy it for social housing.

KingsOak was under a legal obligation to provide 22 rented units for social housing under the terms of its planning permission for four new residential developments on Riverside.

It had planned to build a new block of flats opposite the Case Factory for this purpose, which will not now go-ahead.

Instead it has submitted another planning application to Wychavon District Council for three apartment blocks on the site, which will make up phase five of the Riverside development.

Phases one and two, Riverside Mews and Millstream Court, have been completed; phase three, the Case Factory, is close to completion and work will start soon on phase four, Swans Reach.

Andy Beasley, managing director of KingsOak South Midlands, said: "We see this as a positive move for the development and Evesham. Legally, we had to provide social housing as part of the planning permission. Our involvement with the housing association will provide the town with the affordable housing it needs, whilst keeping sales activity at the development to a minimum, which is something existing residents will benefit from."

Mary Aston, development director for the housing association, said: "This is a very exciting opportunity for both EPHA and our tenants. We will be proud to be able to provide such outstanding homes for local people."

KingsOak was in discussions with the housing association this week and aims to secure a deal within the next few weeks.

Wychavon District Council's development control and licensing committee will discuss the second application for apartments opposite the Case Factory at a future meeting.