A new £6.7 million housing scheme in Settle was “topped out” on Friday when the project partners helped with the laying of tiles on the nearly completed roof.

Representatives of Housing 21, North Yorkshire County Council, Craven District Council, the Home and Communities Agency and Keepmoat joined to celebrate the key milestone in the development of Limestone View, a 50 apartment extra care scheme for older people.

Siobhan Moore, from Housing 21, said: “We’re very excited to reach the ‘topping out’ phase for this delightful development, which has been specifically designed to meet the needs of older residents. Care and support services will be available to residents on an individual basis, enabling them to live as independent a life as possible with choice and dignity.”

Limestone View, which is being provided as part of Housing 21’s approved development programme with the Homes and Communities Agency, will provide one and two-bedroom apartments with options for rent or purchase.

The complex will also be home to Settle Library and Registrars’ Office as well as housing a variety of other community facilities, including a restaurant/cafe, wellbeing suite with memory clinic, hair and beauty salon and a care shop.

County Coun Clare Wood, executive member for health and adult services, said: “We are very proud of this beautiful scheme, which enables our older residents to live in the heart of their community while having access to the care and support they need.”

Extra Care is regarded by the county council as the way ahead; the best model for providing older people with a home of their own in locations with which they are familiar but with the benefit of 24-hour-a-day support where needed.

The scheme, which replaces a former residential care home, has received grant funding from North Yorkshire County Council and the Homes and Communities Agency.

It is due for completion at the end of August.