Councillors have approved plans for 24 assisted living apartments in Selby as part of a scheme first proposed a decade ago.
The two-bedroom flats, which will be restricted for people aged 55 and over, will be built near the existing Osborne House care home.
The site in the town’s Union Lane is a former factory.
A previous planning application for flats on the site submitted in 2015 was refused, with the current application filed in 2018 but delayed due to land ownership issues.
The scheme was approved this week by members of North Yorkshire Council’s Selby and Ainsty area planning committee.
Agent for the applicant, Katherine Pimblott, told the meeting that the flats represented sustainable development of a brownfield site, which was well served by local services.
She added: “It will also provide housing for vulnerable people and promote their independence at a time where they may need it.
“It also then, in turn, frees up family housing if people are looking to downsize into apartment-type accommodation.
“The nature of this proposal, for over 55s with some care needs, creates a building which is a community in itself.”
The agent said the building would occupy a smaller footprint than the design that was refused.
The building has been redesigned with a flat rather than pitched roof to further reduce the mass of the building.
Parts of the building had also been reduced from three storeys to two.
Ms Pimblott added: “While the building has been redesigned, it’s been carefully done to remain in keeping with the neighbouring Osborne House.
“We very much see it as one development on site.”
A report for councillors, which recommended approval of the scheme, noted that there had been 16 objections from local residents.
The main concerns were over the size of the proposed building, with residents fearing that it would dominate the views from homes in Portholme Drive.
Selby Town Council also objected to the plans on the grounds of over-development of the site, a lack of car parking and the potential increase in traffic congestion due to on-street parking along Union Lane.
Despite these concerns, the application was approved unanimously without debate by the planning committee.
