A plan to convert the Athelstan Court office block in Ripon into 16 flats has been approved.

Site owners Athelstan Court Ltd proposed the scheme to convert the building, which has stood empty for 10 years.

The building on Kearsley Road lies within the College Business Park. It was previously used as offices by the Inland Revenue.

Now, Harrogate Borough Council has approved the scheme.

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The developer said the proposal to convert the site into housing would regenerate the current building.

It said:

“It is considered that the proposal would complement the area, and significantly enhance the character and visual amenities of the surrounding area, by regenerating a vacant building.”