Up to 600 homes designed for older and disabled people will be created in Surrey within a decade, potentially saving Surrey County Council up to £2.8m a year.

The move comes as the council aims to free up sites on its land for "flexible and financially self-sustaining, that will be built in conjuction with at least one developer.

According to county council plans, the developer would design, build and run the homes, which the council has said would be apartments, in return for a long lease.

The council would also look to rent a share of the new homes.

A council spokesman said: "It will mean people can live in their own home for longer while also saving the council around £4,600 annually per person on care or nursing home support at a time when rising demand for adult social care is costing an extra £24m this year."

Surrey County Council cabinet member for adult social care Mel Few said: "Not only are these plans good for older and disabled people who want to stay in their own homes and familiar surroundings, they’re good for the council because we can stretch our budget further at a time when our finances are under severe strain from rising demand for services, including adult social care."