CASH from building 24 homes to replace part of Harrogate's spa heritage could help find new uses for the major part of the complex, where commercial interest has been slow.

The Scottish Life Company is revamping the Royal Baths complex, once the hub of spa treatments in their Victorian and Edwardian heyday. It has pulled down a derelict building which once housed an array of treatment rooms but since the late 1960s had stood empty and become an eyesore.

The company wants to replace what was known as the baths' western block and part of the adjacent car park with a 24-unit apartment complex rising to six storeys.

An area planning sub-committee has not raised any objection to the scheme, which will be considered by the full planning committee this week and could end up with the Government for a final decision because it goes against adopted council policy on land use.

Anne Smith, planning team leader for major development schemes, has suggested policy considerations could be largely set aside because of the need to secure the future of the Royal Baths.

She said the council had been told that the money from the homes would provide financial support for the redevelopment of the major part of the old baths complex.

The developers have pointed to rising building costs, particularly when it came to work on buildings such as the baths, which are listed for the architectural and historic importance.

Ms Smith said agents had reported a lack of commercial interest in two units that have still to be let and this had had an effect on the scheme's overall financial position.