THE former home of North Yorkshire Police's mounted unit could be transformed into an 83-bedroom care village if planners give the project their backing.

Lincare Limited wants to develop the site in Starbeck, Harrogate. The plans would see nine self-contained suites and 83 en suite bedrooms built to cater for older people.

Among facilities on offer would be residential dementia care, nursing care and rehabilitation or assessment services. There would also be 44 car parking spaces.

It is estimated the scheme could create up to 60 jobs.

The site, which is to the south-east of Starbeck High Street, was occupied by the mounted unit of North Yorkshire Police until it was disbanded in 1998. The horses were put out to grass in Ireland, and the officers deployed elsewhere in the force.

Protestors put together a 5,000-name petition against the closure, but the county's police authority said the £330,000 annual cost to run the unit would be better spent in other areas.

There were three houses on the site, as well as the stables and exercise yard. All the buildings have now been demolished.

Harrogate Civic Society said the development was entirely suitable for the site, but called for more detail about the materials to be used. Starbeck Residents' Association has also supported the application.

A previous application to build a care village was refused in December, but the scheme has now been revised and planning officer Neville Watson has recommended that permission be granted.

He said: "It is concluded that this revised scheme is acceptable and overcomes the objections to the previous scheme which was refused."

Harrogate Borough Council's area three planning committee will discuss the plans next Tuesday.

Councillors will also consider an application by Barnardo Developments to build a 50-bed care home on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

Under the proposals, the existing building on the site would be demolished. It was used as a Dr Barnardo's children's home, and more recently as a reception centre for Kosovan refugees, but has been vacant since 2001.

The plans have been recommended for approval.