A former college campus will be redeveloped as a £3.5m care facility for the elderly.

The purpose-built complex, at the former College of Ripon and York St John, will replace accommodation provided at the city's Ripon House.

North Yorkshire County Council has confirmed funding for the project is in place through a partnership with Harrogate Borough Council, the Hanover Housing Association and the Craven and Harrogate Rural Primary Care Trust.

The units will have either one or two bedrooms, but will be connected to a network allowing each resident to summon help.

Services which may also be offered could include care for patients with dementia as well as day care services.

Social service bosses said the project would increase the number of homes available to elderly people across the district.

Consultation began with residents, staff and management at Ripon House in 2002 ahead of meetings with Ripon City Council.

The community will also have an opportunity to comment on the scheme at a meeting scheduled for June.

Plans for the former college campus have gone on display at Ripon House as well as at the city's library.

"National and local research shows very clearly that older people want to live as independently as possible, but have all the care and support they need on hand," said the county council's executive member for social services, Councillor Murray Naylor.

"We firmly believe developing extra care schemes like this is the way forward. The county council is the kind of organisation which can promote initiatives like this."

Extra care schemes blend elements of residential care with others from sheltered housing complexes, offering residents the opportunity to maintain a degree of independence.

Building work is already under way on a similar complex at the former Manor Grange residential home in Knaresborough.