PLANNING officers are recommending that a scheme to build 40 apartments on a former college site in Ripon should be given the go-ahead.

The green space site is in the grounds of the former college of Ripon and York St John, off College Road.

The planning application will be considered by members of the Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council at a meeting on Tuesday.

Planning officer Mark Williams said the site, in the Ripon conservation area, would be similar to a previously approved development.

He said the development would split the building into two wings, separating it from a block of town houses.

Mr Williams said: "This reduces the bulk and massing of the buildings and lessens the impact on the setting of the listed college and conservation area." When the college was closed a few years ago there were protest marches through Ripon. Since then, the site has been extensively developed.

In July 2002, planning permission was given for an extensive site amid acres of green open space.

Developments have inclued 85 two and three-storey town houses, plus conversion of the main college building into 53 apartments.

Also included were two business units, eight affordable homes, a 40-bedroomed extra care residential home, nursery, football pitch, all weather sports pitch and nature reserve.

Provision of community facilities, including public open space, was linked into the development through a legal agreement with the council.