A derelict site in a conservation area has been turned into a multi-million pound apartment complex.

The former Josephine's nightclub in Commercial Street, Harrogate, stood empty for nearly ten years and was once seriously affecting the conservation and commercial environment of the area.

But now it is the site of a shared ownership scheme in a partnership between Harrogate Borough Council and the Leeds Federated Housing Association.

The association acquired the site in the autumn of 2001 and the buildings have now been demolished and replaced by 16 two-bedroomed apartments and two shop units.

The development, undertaken by contractors Frank Haslam Milan, has cost more than £2.06m.

The head of business development at the association, Clare Harrigan, said: "This is a great step forward for Harrogate Borough Council and ourselves in our joint desire to provide affordable town centre properties to help those on low incomes to get on the property ladder."

Buyers of the properties have had to demonstrate a local connection to the town.

Under the shared ownership scheme, purchasers are able to buy a 50 per cent or 75 per cent ownership stake in the property with rent payable on the remainder to the association.