PLANS to turn the site of a former independent school near Keighley into a psychological trauma care facility and 67 new houses have been approved.

The proposals for the old Malsis School in Glusburn were considered and passed by members of Craven District Council’s planning committee.

As part of the same application, councillors also considered plans to upgrade and re-open former sports facilities on this land.

The 13-hectare site includes Malsis Hall, a grade II listed property.

Malsis School was founded in 1920. However, the school closed in December 2014 due to falling pupil numbers, pressure on fees and a failed merger with Giggleswick School.

The disused land and buildings were subsequently bought by former Malsis pupils Jamie and Jonathan Seddon, of Seddon Developments Ltd, who said they were keen to bring the historic building back to life.

Craven District Council planning officers had recommended approval for the application to bring the site back into use.

Their report accompanying the proposals explains that the trauma care in Malsis Hall would be a 51-bed facility.

It adds: "The purpose of the care facility is to provide rehabilitation and nursing care for individuals who have mental ill-health due to psychological trauma.

"The applicant has indicated that the care facility will generate approximately 112 full-time equivalent jobs with 24-hour, seven-day a week care provided by staff working in two shifts."

New housing on the land will comprise 66 new buildings and the conversion of the existing grade II listed lodge at the site entrance into a detached, four-bed home.

The officer's report says: "The dwellings would be laid out in three pockets in the southeast, northeast corners of the site.

"Each parcel of homes would be served by a separate cul-de-sac off the main access drive.

"All housing would be two storeys and would provide a combination of detached, semi detached and terraced types, including eight apartments laid out in two adjacent blocks.

"The application includes the provision of 11 dwellings which would meet the definition of “affordable housing” set out in the National Planning Policy Framework."

Included in the development for community use would be three football pitches, a refurbished outbuilding to be used as a changing room, and a 32-space car park to the west of Malsis Hall with access off Carr Head Lane.

The application has faced opposition in the form of 20 letters of objection from nearby residents, and it was also opposed on heritage grounds by Historic England and Yorkshire Gardens Trust.

However, in recommending approval, the planning officer's report states that the scheme's benefits would outweigh the "less than substantial" harm to the site's heritage.

The report notes: "The development would deliver public benefits through the restoration of Malsis Hall and the delivery of enhanced sports facilities.

"Although the proposed housing would harm the hall’s setting through the urbanisation of areas of the open parkland, the financial evidence provided by the applicant demonstrates this level of housing is necessary to secure the hall’s viable use.

"Without it, any benefits associated with the restoration of the hall and the provision of enhanced sports facilities would be lost."