PLANS for a 58 apartment 'extra care' facility for older people on the site of the former St Monica's Convent in Skipton have been lodged with Craven District Council.

Following a consultation of the plans last summer, which included a drop in event in Skipton, residential care provider, Housing and Care 21 - which runs Limestone View, Settle, has submitted fully detailed application.

The apartments are aimed at people over 55 years old, with 'support needs', but wanting independent living, and are often seen as a bridge between ordinary sheltered housing, and residential care.

The scheme involves redundant convent buildings, off Raikes Road, behind St Stephen's RC Church, and close to Ermysted's Grammar School. It does not include the former St Stephen's School, Water Street, which was recently damaged by fire, and is currently 'under offer'.

The scheme -if it gets the go ahead - will receive £1.3 million from the government's Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

It has been commissioned by North Yorkshire County Council and is supported by Craven District Council, and if approved, will be the

sixth extra care facility in North Yorkshire - with Limestone View, the first, and another in Bentham, in the pipeline.

In its application to Craven Council, Housing and Care 21 says in order to receive the funding, it needs to start work on site before the end of March.

It says it has been working with the county council to develop such a facility in Skipton.

"This type of provision for older people is strategically important across the area and is a significant factor in the replacement of residential care homes scheduled for closure."

The apartments will says Housing and Care 21, provide a 'safe living environment for people over 55 years old with support needs' and will includes 'Telecare' - the use of technology to support people to live independently in their own homes.

Facilities will include communal facilities, a café- bistro, hair salon, lounge and activity room.

It will feature a single building of one and two bedroom apartments, with communal facilities, and with access from Raikes Road.

Apartments will be available to rent or buy either through shared ownership sale, or outright sale.

Permission for a care facility on

In 2013, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Leeds gained planning permission to build 70 apartments for older people on the site.