A new orphanage providing shelter for needy children has been proposed, along with low-cost housing for senior citizens, for a vacant plot along Spice Hill Road in Warwick.

An application in last Friday's official Gazette was intended to test the waters, according to architect Geoff Parker, who said the idea was still in its early stages.

"My client wanted to give back. He has a bit of farmland and wanted to provide for the needs of the community."

Mr Parker described the application in principle as a "test balloon — we're just seeing if the Planning Department would have objections."

He said: "There's no plan for the facility yet and we don't know how many people it would accommodate. Once we get an idea of its feasibility we will go ahead and try to develop it further, but it's just an idea at the moment."