A BUILDING formerly used to provide accommodation for homeless people will be converted to private flats.

Alexandra House in Ashley Road, Altrincham, was previously operated by the YWCA and then by Great Places Housing.

It has been sold to Real Estate Investment Partnership after the building was deemed surplus to requirements by Great Places.

Windows on the empty property have been boarded up for years after it became a target for vandals.

Steve Slater of Real Estate Investment Partnerships said: “We are very excited to start work on this development. The site has great potential to allow us to design and build high quality residential properties that are in keeping with the surrounding area.

“The homes will benefit from state of the art design whilst respecting the location, in particular St John’s church. The prominent location of the site means it is easily commutable from Manchester and the surrounding area. ”

The 0.88 acre development lies within the Downs conservation area, around 500 metres from Altrincham Metrolink Station.

Architects, Ollier Smurthwaite, are in the process of designing a residential scheme that they said would be in keeping with the conservation area.

Plans will be submitted to Trafford Council within the next six weeks following a period of public consultation.