PLANS to build 47 houses on a former industrial site are expected to be approved by councillors on Thursday - but with a hefty list of conditions attached.

It will be the second time that developers McCarthy and Stone has put forward proposals to redevelop the land in the centre of Bedale, formerly occupied by Clapham's marquee makers and hirers.

The revised application will provide 12 two-bedroom and 35 single-bedroom units of sheltered accommodation for older people who wish to live independently while having the support of an on-site warden.

Six of the 19 recommendations likely to be made by Hambleton District Council's development control committee relate to the drainage and contamination of the site, which includes a former gasworks.

Investigations will have to be carried out on the site to establish the nature and extent of any contamination and the developers' cost to remove such material will exceed £45,000.

The initial scheme, which included 50 houses on the site, was rejected last year, with fears that it would affect the Bedale Conservation Area among planners' concerns.

McCarthy and Stone are proposing to reclaim stone from a row of cottages that will be demolished as part of the scheme and reuse it in the new housing at a cost of more than £20,000.

"The design of the building has been improved to more closely follow the characteristics of the area," said planning officer Tim Wood.

"The removal of fussy details and use of materials that are more sympathetic to the area, including the re-use of the stone arising from the demolition, is to be applauded."

Bedale Chamber of Trade has supported the development, saying that it can only improve conditions in the derelict area, bring increased trade to shops and businesses and meet the needs of the older people.

Planning officers believe the scheme can be supported if the provision of affordable housing is incorporated into the scheme, an issue that also contributed towards the rejection of the first application.

They have recommended that planning consent rests partly on reaching an agreement with McCarthy and Stone on this issue.