A SOUTHAMPTON car showroom and workshop could be turned into more than 60 assisted living flats and a four-storey care home should plans be approved by civic chiefs.

The UK's leading retirement home developer McCarthy Stone has submitted an application to Southampton City Council regarding plans to replace the Doves Vauxhall showroom and workshops on The Avenue.

It details proposals for a two to four storey apartment block containing 66 assisted living flats along with a four-storey care home fit for 80 people.

Daily Echo: Artist impression of the proposed McCarthy Stone development on The Avenue, Southampton.

The existing buildings would be demolished to make way for the proposed development.

The Daily Echo contacted Vauxhall for a comment on the plans but they did not respond.

The proposal seeks to erect a block of assisted living accommodation, which developers say would provide the opportunity for a "high quality development" that would "positively contribute" to meeting the specialised accommodation needs of the elderly.

This block would address The Avenue and Bannister Road frontage.

Daily Echo: Vauxhall car show room and workshops on The Avenue, Southampton.

It is also proposed to erect a care home which would be located on the Bannister Road frontage.

McCarthy and Stone Management Services Limited is registered as a Domiciliary Care Agency with the Care Quality Commission which is a statutory requirement for providing “care” to individuals.

McCarthy and Stone Management Services will manage the Assisted Living accommodation.

Care UK, the likely developer of the care home, is one of the largest providers of residential care for older people.

Daily Echo: Artist impression of the proposed McCarthy Stone development on The Avenue, Southampton.

Care UK operate 124 care homes providing both residential and nursing care. Their team of 10,000 people delivers care to around 7,000 residents every single day.

The proposal would be situated close to local shops and services including access to the city centre.

The planning statement reads: "The proposed use would be in accordance with the Government’s housing and sustainable development policies in that it would meet the accommodation needs of older people thus freeing up existing under-occupied stock.

"In this context, in the case of the MS element nationally, approximately 45 per cent of residents of Retirement accommodation (Category II) originate with five miles (approximately 72 per cent within a 20 mile) radius.

"It is anticipated that a similar profile will be exhibited in the case of residents for the proposed Assisted Living Extra Care and of the care home."