A historic industrial building in Cheltenham's lower high street has plans to be demolished to make way for affordable housing, according to a recent planning application received by Cheltenham Borough Council.

Lane Britton and Jenkins have applied for planning permission to create 18 apartments on the site occupied by J R Laboratories Ltd, which made optical precision instruments.

The proposed site, for the development of the two blocks of flats, is at the far western end of the High Street, near the Honeybourne Line and the Gloucester Road and Tewkesbury Road junction.

The report said: "The site currently consists of a single-storey light industrial detached building, constructed in approximately 1940. The building is evidently in a very poor state of repair with a recommendation the property has reached the end of its reasonable life span. As such, the site needs to be redeveloped."

Brenda Jones, J R Laboratories owner said: "The business was started by my husband 40 years ago and I have managed it for the last 10. Following Covid and changes in the industry, I have taken the decision to close the firm and retire."

The council aims to determine the application by 14 July.