Plans to convert council offices in Witney into sheltered housing are being pushed forward to meet a Government deadline.

West Oxfordshire District Council's lowlands planning sub-committee is holding a special meeting on June 26 to consider the scheme.

The English Churches Housing Group wants to redevelop the site of 26 Church Green.

Under the proposal, the existing house would be converted into seven flats for elderly people, and another 36 flats would be built on land at the rear of the building.

If the scheme is approved it could qualify for a local authority social housing grant, which are set to be abolished by the Government at the end of this month.

No announcement has yet been made on their replacement.

The exisiting building houses the district council's finance and housing departments which will move to new offices in New Yatt Road later in the year.

Cabinet leader Barry Norton said: "The application must, of course, be dealt with on pure planning terms. But if it is to go ahead we have to beat the deadline for a social housing grant."

The building, a town house dating back to the early 20th century, is in the conservation area of the town.

The council's head of planning, Ian Morrow, said in a report: "This is a major development in a sensitive location that has the potential to address a substantial area of housing need. But, if not carefully handled, it could potentially impact to the detriment on one of the best street scenes in the district."