COUNCILLORS narrowly voted to approve plans for 40 apartments on the former college of Ripon and York St John site.
Four members of a Harrogate Borough Council area planning committee backed the scheme, off College Road, Ripon, but there were two abstentions and one vote against.
The two three-storey blocks will be in the grounds of the former college, which shut and transferred to the York campus a few years ago.
The planning application was tabled by Persimmon Homes (Yorkshire).
Planning officer Mark Williams said the site was in Ripon conservation area and would be in the same area as a previously approved development. He said the latest scheme would be better on the site than a previously approved scheme, and recommended approval.
He also said changes to the development would lessen the impact on the listed former college building.
Closure of the college caused protests in Ripon, sparking marches through the city centre and petitions signed by thousands.
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