PLANS to house people with mental health problems under the same roof as a boxing club are being chewed over by Droitwich community leaders.

Plans are underway to renovate Droitwich Spa Boxing Club's Kidderminster Road site, its home since 1983.

Evesham and Pershore Housing Association wants to develop a two-tier complex with the boxing club on the ground floor and nine flats on the upper level.

The boxing club, which has seen national champions come through its ranks over the years, has been unable to secure a council lease for its dilapidated building since 1997.

An application was lodged with Wychavon District Council last week and if planning permission is granted, work could begin within months.

Housing chiefs chose the site because it's close to the Community Health Team based at the Covercroft Centre, in Ombersley Street East.

A similar and successful scheme has existed in Evesham for 10 years.

It is managed on a full-time basis by Rethink - an organisation which provides housing management and tenant support.

Low income

Evesham and Pershore Housing Association press officer Rebecca Bailey previously said: "We work in the community, not just providing houses for those on a low income but generally supporting people for such a good cause as this.

"It will be of benefit to the boxing club to have a nice new building."

Letters have been sent out informing nearby residents of the proposals while the town council has also received leaflets outlining details of the planned redevelopment.