Retirement homes scheme for site of former convent backed

Diocese of Leeds Trustees submitted plans to Craven Council to refurbish and develop the former St Monica’s convent next to St Stephen’s Church in Skipton.

The retirement apartments will be restricted to those aged 55 and over.

The properties will be a mixture of one- and two-bed apartments which will be built on the site of the defunct school wing of St Monica’s, off Castle View Terrace.

A further part of the convent, a Grade II listed building, will be refurbished for use by St Stephen’s Parish and will provide facilities for dining, day care, laundry and offices for care workers.

The planning application included the demolition of two late 19th Century wings attached to the convent to make way for the building of 70 new apartments for the elderly.

Monsignor Andrew Summersgill, of St Stephens, welcomed the decision to grant permission for the scheme.

“It has taken many years to get to this stage. We held wide consultations in March 2011 and as a result we were able to modify our proposals to reduce the impact on Castle View Terrace and to enhance the setting of the Church. The number of apartments was reduced from 90 to 70 and car parking spaces increased. We are in a conservation area so the majority of trees will stay to maintain the green corridor along Grassington Road.”

A planning spokesman for the scheme added: “The development of St Monica’s has been a sensitive issue. The old convent is a listed, heritage building of historical interest.

“Buildings of this nature must be protected and cherished for generations to come. The fact that it is on a brown field site, and that 70 new homes will be created is something worth shouting about.”

A total of 12 people wrote to the council supporting the scheme while five people told the authority that were against it.

Those who backed the development said it would provide much-needed sheltered accommodation for local people.

They said the site is an “eyesore” and had been targeted by vandals for many years.

Critics of the plan claimed that the structures proposed for demolition could have been preserved.

Objectors also complained that the scale of the development would have an “overwhelming impact” on residents living in Castle View Terrace.

Monsignor Summersgill said the needs of the parish and its residents had shaped the development proposals.

“As a parish we constantly review the needs of the community. The Nuns of St Monica’s were engaged in teaching the children of the parish in yesteryear. Those children who are now adults will be involved in shaping the future of St Monica’s.

“By developing accommodation for an ageing population we are simply responding to the present needs of our parish. Catholic Care, our church care agency, and the wider Diocese are involved in the scheme, and so the development will focus on wider needs and not just our local Catholic community.”

The church was advised by Skipton-based planning specialists Rural Solutions.

Duncan Hartley, director of planning at Rural Solutions, said the development of such a site would protect green field sites.

“I am thrilled with the planning decision. Being part of a new chapter in the history of the site is a great honour.

“The fact that the development is on a brown field site is even better, as it means

Controversial green field sites can be left development free. I believe we will have supported Father Summersgill to create a legacy that Skipton will be proud of.”

It is believed that demolition work at the site will begin later this year following environmental and ecology checks.

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