Crawley Borough Council is to buy up to 86 flats on a major development site to secure affordable housing.

The council will buy the flats on the former Southern Counties site at 27-45 Ifield Road from developer Crest Nicholson, following approval from members at the Full Council meeting on 22 July.

The site has planning permission for 218 new flats with on-site crèche, gym and basement parking.

The current proposal is for the council to buy three studio flats, 50 one-bedroom flats and 33 two-bedroom flats.