A DEVELOPMENT, described as resembling a "Victorian-type workhouse building" and earmarked for land adjacent to the Crofters Mill estate in Sutton, has been turned down by Craven District Council.

The planning committee ignored officers who had recommend approval of the three-storey block of 50 flats on the site of a former mill.

The flats were part of a dual application from Maria Mallaband Nursing Homes Ltd, owners of the site. The firm also wants to build a new 60-bed nursing home with additional elderly, mentally infirm (EMI) places.

But it was the flats which had generated more than 80 letters of objection against initial plans to build a four-storey block, followed by amended plans for a three-storey block.

The proposals suggested the apartments would be for people not ready to move into a nursing or residential home, but who wanted the reassurance of extra care should they need it. However, the only criteria was that they should be over 55.

The apartments were designed to resemble the former Silentnight mill, while the nursing home reflected the style of the old mill cottages.

The new home would replace nearby Royd Hill which will not meet future regulations. Members were told it would be sold for residential use once the existing 46 residents had been moved to the new home.

Sutton parish councillor Chris Suri said the application was not in accordance with the Local Plan. He said that the application for the site in question, particularly the flats, went against policies. "It should be single-storey light industrial use, not a three-storey Victorian-type warehouse building," he said.

Coun Suri also questioned the new jobs that would be created at the nursing home. He suggested it would be between 20 to 40, rather than the 80 to 100 quoted by Philip Burgan, owner of Maria Mallaband Nursing Homes.

Mr Burgan said the group had eight nursing homes in Yorkshire and this site had come to their attention through the purchase of Royd Hill. He said Royd Hill currently employed 58 people, giving 24-hour cover.

"The commercial future of Royd Hill is that it will not be fit for future use. Even now that the Government has relaxed regulations, it will not be viable commercially," he said.

Mr Burgan added that the new nursing home would help satisfy the current big demand for EMI care in the area.

Stuart Barrick, a resident of Crofters Mill, said when he bought his house two years ago the land at the rear was going to be reserved for light industrial use.

"We feel betrayed with the latest plans. There will be a deterioration in our quality of life. Access is also bad. There is only one way in and one way out," he said.

Coun Steve Place said the old mill, which was demolished in 1995, was an "incongruous edifice" and he could not imagine anyone wishing to have anything similar in its place.

"I support the nursing home. It is needed, but there seems to be no linkage between this and the closed-care unit," he said.

Coun Paul English went a step further suggesting the 55-year age limit for purchasers of the flats was "blatant discrimination" against younger people and would set a dangerous precedent.

"I think the development is potentially a good scheme and residents are not against the principle of it, just against the design. I hope Maria Mallaband will have a rethink and come back to this committee," he said.

But not everyone was against it. Coun Richard Welch said he could not see any sensible planning objections. "We are living in an age where there are going to be more and more elderly people and we have got to look at the wider picture. At the end of the day I am of the opinion that this is a good idea," he declared.

However, the committee voted against the plans and gave the reasons as loss of privacy for local residents, poor access, lack of car parking spaces, and it being contrary to the Local Plan.

After the meeting, Mr Burgan said he was naturally disappointed at the views of the planning committee, but felt they did not reflect the true feelings of all Sutton residents.

"There were many inaccuracies about care homes and in particular assisted living which I never got the opportunity to address.

"I would like to ask the Sutton community what their true feelings are about having a beautiful new care complex in their village, not just those living in Crofters Mill.

"If they are for the new development I will appeal against the decision. If they do not, then I will take my money somewhere else," he said.