An Ilkley organisation which helps the elderly is about to flourish with a move to new premises.

The Wharfe Valley Community Project has gained planning permission to move into The Lodge in Back Parish Ghyll Road and transform it into a centre to help elderly, housebound and disabled people.

Members of the project are hoping to use the Lodge for classes to cater for 24 people - while the upper floor would also be used by care workers from social services teams.

Councillors granted permission, subject to a number of conditions, these include

planning permission being granted for one year only.

The group, which is currently based at Christchurch, organises three classes per week and home visits through its voluntary workers and aims to cater for more people in the future.

The news comes in the same week that another charity, has put in a planning application to secure the Grove Hospital site - a building the project hopes to move into in the long term.

Nellie Thornton, secretary of the Wharfe Valley Community Project, said the organisation's work did make a difference to the community.

The application had support from Ilkley planning officers, despite certain parking concerns, and the Project also had support from the parish council and Ilkley Civic Society.

The Project has applied to the Lottery Commission for funds to help furnish their new home.

l AN elderly help group is close to setting up in Ilkley - but needs more volunteers.

Contact the Elderly is hoping Gazette readers can make a difference and sign up for the scheme, where once a month, with the help of a driver, two pensioners visit a host's house for a tea party.

Mary Robertson, the group's regional development manager, said: "These acts of kindness can help so much towards relieving the loneliness of the elderly members who find themselves unable to get out. I am setting up groups all over Yorkshire. It is so worthwhile. A few hours once a month can make a tremendous difference to the members. The drivers and hosts enjoy it too."

l Anyone who can help should contact Mary on 01535 632592.

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