Residents of Liskeard have been given the chance to view outline plans for a proposed 'extra care village' on the site of the town's former Passmore Edwards Hospital.Caradon District Council is working with Sarsen Housing Association, Cornwall County Council and the local Primary Care Trust with the aim of transforming the derelict hospital into a much-needed alternative to residential care.

The plan is to redevelop the existing hospital and construct another building alongside it to provide 34 two-bed flats and 21 one-bed flats for single people and couples. Forty-eight of the flats will be available for rent, and a further seven for sale.

A full planning application is due to be submitted by the end of October and, if granted, a bid for funding will then be submitted to the Housing Corporation.

Most of the residents who attended Monday's meeting at Liskeard Public Hall expressed positive views about the redevelopment. Mrs Rowe, aged 88, who has lived in Liskeard all her life, said: "It's part of Liskeard. "Passmore Edwards has done so much for the community. "I'm just glad they're not pulling the original hospital down. "I owe my life to the hospital after suffering appendicitis at the age of 16." Another resident, Mrs Joyce Jokic, said: "I think it's brilliant - and well situated nearer the town. "It looks very good so far."

Christopher Lunn, affordable housing manager for Caradon District Council, said: "Unquestionably there's a need for care for the elderly in Caradon, as there's no other facility like this available in Cornwall."

If the £8.4million redevelopment is approved, work is expected to start early in the summer of 2008, with completion by the end of 2009.