PROPOSALS for a multi-million pound block of apartments for retired people could be refused planning permission next week.

Officers at Ryedale District Council have recommended that the Golden Living scheme in Pickering should be rejected.

The company wants to build 35 one-bedroom and 13 two-bedroom homes on the site of the former North Riding Garages on Eastgate. A similar scheme was rejected by the authority last year.

Pickering Town Council has objected to the latest plans, calling the proposals "overbearing and obtrusive".

But a planning support statement written by Mike Ashworth from consultants Spawforths said: "The site is previously developed and represents a more efficient use of land within the existing built up area of Pickering.

"The scheme represents an appropriate form of development at an acceptable density, given the site's context and location."

Planning officer Paul Simpson has recommended planning permission should be refused, but full reasons have not yet been published. The council's planning committee will discuss the application on Wednesday.