Plans for 13 new affordable bungalows in Blyth for people living with dementia have been approved by councillors.
It comes as part of a Northumberland-wide bid to support people to live independently for longer.
The 13 homes will be built close to Lyndon House Day Care Centre and were given the green light by members of Northumberland County Council's Ashington and Blyth Local Area Committee on Wednesday.
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Councillors were told that the homes, which are being built by the council, will be 100% affordable and are needed to support the increasing aging population within Northumberland and their associated healthcare needs.
Each house will have its own private garden, backing on to a shared communal space.
Speaking in support of the application, a council officer said: "Getting older should not be a barrier to living a full independent life. The idea is to allow independent living for as long as possible.
"The proposed 13 bungalows will have two bedrooms, one for the person living with dementia and one for the spouse or a carer. Extra care and respite for the spouse will be provided by a new team.
"This will provide much-needed affordable housing and there will be a limited impact on the surrounding area and its residents."
The application was positively received by councillors. Coun Lynne Grimshaw said: "I think it is a vital, vital necessity that will look after people with dementia, and I think it's marvellous that we're encouraging people to live independently with their carers."
Members unanimously agreed to back the proposals.
After this was agreed, the council's head of planning, Rob Murfin, added: "We have a really important agenda for delivering affordable housing and our core priority of tackling inequality.
"There will be some more difficult decisions in the future. This is both an important scheme and what we have not done is accept a lower standard of design, just because it's a noble purpose.
"This application, I feel, ticks all the boxes."
As part of the scheme, the council will provide £7,995 to its coastal mitigation scheme and £1,684.80 towards parks and gardens.
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