A former club in Ripon could be converted into a house, under plans submitted to Harrogate Borough Council.
The club was initially built as the Jepson’s Hospital, a ‘Blue Coat’ school for poor boys in the city, before it closed in 1927.
It was then taken over by Ripon City Club, which occupied the building on Water Skellgate before it closed due to a dwindling membership in December 2019.
According to documents submitted to the council, the number of members at the club 20 years ago stood at 300. However, the figure dropped to just 11 by the start of 2019.
As a result, the viability of the club was cited as a reason for its closure.
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The proposal by Joplings Property Consultants, lodged on behalf of applicant Mr Jeet Sahi, would see the building converted into a house.
In 1998, the rear half of the club was sold to a developer with planning permission to build seven apartments.
The developer said in its documents:
“The proposed change of use to a single residential dwelling is required by the applicant for him and his family to occupy.
“The previous use of the building is redundant, the proposed change of use to residential is in line with planning policies to meet the demand for new residential housing.”
The club will become the latest in the Harrogate district to be converted into housing following the demise of its membership.
Last month, plans were submitted to convert the former National Reserve Club on East Parade in Harrogate into apartments.
