Plans for 68 retirement flats in Knaresborough have been recommended for approval, despite objections from residents and the town council.
Adlington Retirement Living, part of the Gladman group, wants to build the flats with additional care facilities on land adjacent to the single-track Grimbald Bridge on Wetherby Road, alongside the River Nidd.
The scheme was initially refused by Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee in February 2021 over concerns that the development was “overpowering” and intrusive.
However, a fresh application by Adlington has now been recommended by council officers to be given the go-ahead.
The developer has made changes to the original plans, including removing four apartments from the top of the building to reduce its height and adding 10 electric vehicle car parking spaces. The housing mix will be changed to regain the lost apartments.
It said the need to provide this type of accommodation for older people in the area was “critical” due to an ageing population.
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Despite the revised proposal, the plan has still been met by objections.
In a letter to the council, Knaresborough Town Council said:
“Knaresborough Town Council strongly objects to this latest application. This new development is still over intensive with poor access.
“The 68 proposed dwellings constitute an over-intensive development of the site due to design, height and massing.”
Councillors on Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee will make a decision on the plan on Tuesday next week.