A "LUXURIOUS" retirement complex will replace crumbling former children's home, Burnside House, in Skipton.

Craven District Council gave developers Cawder Construction the go-ahead this week to turn the Victorian building, off Carleton Road, into 39 homes for elderly residents in a multi-million pound scheme.

Fifteen of these will be one bedroom while 24 will be two bedroom. The site will be run by Goldsborough Estates, part of BUPA Care Services.

A management team will cater for the needs of residents, such as making sure their post is delivered and tending to the gardens.

Tony Coupe, a partner in Cawder Construction, said: "The owners will have the satisfaction of living in their own home, but the management team will professionally deal with the problems of maintenance.

He explained: "A family house is not necessarily the best for the active retired once the family has flown the nest.

"Often a large amount of equity is tied up in a family home that could be used to advantage enjoying a well-earned rest.

"Moving to a modern new home at Burnside will also ensure that owners will almost certainly have lower heating, lighting and rates bills."

Mr Coupe added: "Cawder and Goldsborough are determined to give Craven a unique and beautiful facility where its owners have time to relax."

The complex will have CCTV and aid call systems.

Houses will have fully equipped modern kitchens, bathrooms and lounges and bedrooms. There will also be a "luxurious" communal area including lounge and a hotel standard bedroom that can be hired by residents for overnight visitors.

It is envisaged contractors will move within the next couple of months and will demolish the most modern part of the house while retaining and developing the original parts.

The building is currently in a bad state of repair due to severe fire damage in 2003 and repeated vandalism.

The news that the building will be put back into use for the elderly has been welcomed by many.

Cawder has been given the planning permission on the condition it donates £20,000 to refurbish nearby Burnside recreation ground.

A public meeting will shortly be held to find out what children on the estate want for their playground.

Speaking at Monday's planning meeting, Coun Marcia Turner, said: "I am in full agreement with this. We are looking for somewhere for elderly people who won't be taking affordable housing schemes.

"I am very pleased the developer has mentioned extra money for the children's playground, the town council has already allocated £15,000 for some skateboards."

Ward councillor Polly English, who lives on Burnside Avenue, said: "I'm extremely pleased. I just hope they move ahead with the sale rapidly to save the £1,800 a week being spent on maintaining guard of the building because it's all coming out of our taxes."

Coun English said she was delighted they would be getting the money for the play area and said the complex would offer a lot to Skipton.

Town councillor Mike Doyle has repeatedly called for the building to be brought back to life. He approves of its future use as homes for elderly.

He added: "It's what people seem to want. It provides a stepping stone from total independence so I welcome it.

"I just wanted the site to be used for a sensible purpose rather than hanging around doing nothing for yonks."

Burnside Avenue resident John Manley said he was "highly pleased" that the planning application had been approved.

"I think it's an ideal use, far more pleasing, I think, than it would have been with housing on there," he told the Herald.