PLANS to build 12 apartments on the site of former sheltered housing in Skipton should include a communal area, says a councillor.

Yorkshire Housing has submitted plans after closing the former, outdated sheltered housing at Roughaw Close and three other Craven sites and successfully rehousing all remaining residents.

It has said that the new apartments at Roughaw Close will initially be aimed at older people and will feature widened doors and ramps, but there is currently no provision for a communal meeting area.

Skipton Cllr Andy Solloway said it was vitally important that such space be provided for the health of the older residents.

And he is pressing that money from Craven District Council's New Homes Bonus could be a way of providing the facility.

Representatives of Yorkshire Housing attended a recent meeting of the council's select committee to give an update on plans.

A spokesman has since confirmed it is looking into the possibility of providing a meeting area, but only at the Skipton site.

"The strong feeling from the select committee was that we would like to see somewhere where people can meet included in the scheme," said Cllr Solloway.

A communal meeting area was very much part of the former sheltered housing and was well used by residents.

"Loneliness has a big impact on people and it is so important that there is somewhere where they can meet up regularly, to have their hair cut, or go to classes," said Cllr Solloway.

"This is something that is recognised in the private sector and it should be the same here."

He thought one of the planned apartments could be utilised and the resulting loss of revenue made up by New Homes Bonus money - so far used to finance projects including work on Skipton Town Hall.

A spokesman confirmed: “We are looking into whether it is feasible to offer a communal area when we redevelop Roughaw Close."

Yorkshire Housing has also closed sheltered housing at Greatwood Close, Skipton, and Reid House, Ingleton.

All former residents were moved by August this year and if planning permission is given, work on replacement housing will get under way next spring.

A bat colony at the remaining scheme, at Aynham Close, Grassington, has meant a delay while Yorkshire Housing awaits permission from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to relocate the colony.

It is not considering communal areas at any other sites other than Roughaw Close as "there are already existing community facilities in those areas”.

The last remaining resident of all of the four schemes was rehoused at the end of August.

Michael Hewson, neighbourhood services manager, told the select committee all residents had been rehoused in homes of their choice, with some relocated to other parts of the country, closer to relatives.

Follow up visits were still taking place to those who had requested them and many remained on the warden service.

"Despite the challenging circumstances, the controversy surrounding our decision and the sensitivity of the project, Yorkshire Housing has received no negative feedback from the tenants affected or their families following the moves. In fact we have received a lot of positive feedback," he said.