Twenty new one and two-bedroom flats are planned for Maryport's Ewanrigg estate to help meet the demand for smaller homes in the town.

Social landlord Home Group is planning to build the new homes in a three-storey building on its former office site in Bounty Avenue.

The £1.8 million project would replace a smaller housing unit previously on the site, which was deemed unsuitable for use before its demolition.

Eleven of the homes would have two bedrooms while the remainder would have one.

Twenty parking spaces would be provided.

Home Group recently had 81 separate bids on four different one and two-bedroom properties in the Ewanrigg and Grasslot area from people on local housing waiting lists.

The most recent figures available from Allerdale council showed that more than 100 one-bedroom houses or flats were needed in the town.

The figures from a 2013 housing survey precede the introduction of the under occupancy charge, the so-called "bedroom tax", which means people receiving housing benefit lose out on part of their funding if they have any unoccupied bedrooms.

The change means demand for smaller properties is likely to have increased.

Brian Patterson, Home Group project manager, said: “As a not-for-profit housing provider it’s important to us to provide homes where they are needed.

"There is a huge demand for affordable rental homes in this area and if these homes are built they will go towards meeting demand."

The housing association is seeking planning permission for the development from the council.

The building has been designed to complement existing homes in the neighbourhood.

It would have a roofline similar to that of neighbouring homes.

Mr Patterson said: "We plan to reduce the level of the whole site and doing this combined with building in the roof space will allow us to maximise the number of homes we can make available for people.

"We decided to build one and two bedroom properties as the site best lends itself to a development of flats.

"We also know there is a demand for one and two-bedroom properties in the area."

The flats have been designed by Glasgow company Collective Architecture, following public consultation sessions.

The building would make use of natural slate on the upper walls and roof to help it blend in with surrounding homes.