Sky bar and tearoom planned for 66-bed care home in Northallerton

The scheme, recommended for approval by planning officers, would see an existing council-owned site demolished, cleared and redeveloped into a three-storey specialist facility for elderly residents.

If given the green light, the development would replace the former Hambleton District Council headquarters at Stone Cross Civic Centre in Northallerton, delivering modern care accommodation alongside communal spaces including lounges, a coffee bar, library and landscaped gardens.

The plans have been submitted by LNT Care Developments Ltd.

Stone Cross, the former Hambleton District Council offices.

The care home would include 66 ensuite bedrooms, communal lounges, a coffee bar, library, garden room, tearoom, sky bar and landscaped gardens for residents.

Plans also include parking, electric vehicle charging points, cycle storage and ancillary buildings.

Planning officers say the proposal would help meet growing demand for elderly care provision in North Yorkshire, particularly dementia care and respite services, while also bringing employment and investment to the area.

A report prepared for councillors states the district has a significantly older population than the national average, with evidence showing a growing need for specialist accommodation and care home bed spaces over the coming decades.

Officers noted that the development would create around 62 jobs and make use of previously developed brownfield land in a sustainable location close to public transport, local services and walking routes.

The report concludes: “There is clear need for care provision in Northallerton given the ageing population and the scheme is supported by Economic Development and policy HG2 of the Local Plan.”

The existing civic centre building became vacant following local government reorganisation and the creation of North Yorkshire Council.

Officers said the current office building was “of no particular architectural merit” and its demolition was considered acceptable.

Only two public responses were received during consultation, with concerns raised over parking pressures and the loss of the existing building.

North Yorkshire Council, which owns the building, received nine bids when the site was marketed, with none of these bids proposing to keep the existing building.

The sale of the site to the care home operator was described as a “win, win, win” situation by deputy leader Gareth Dadd when agreed last year.

Planning officers concluded that highways, drainage, ecology, landscaping and contamination issues had all been satisfactorily addressed.

The development would also deliver a biodiversity net gain exceeding national requirements.

If approved, the development will also provide more than £32,000 towards expanding local healthcare facilities, alongside £5,000 for travel plan monitoring.