DEVELOPERS behind a scheme to turn Ripon into one of the major commercial centres of the North will learn next week whether the £50m plan can go ahead.

Highstone Estates bought the city's former university campus site earlier this year - and is now seeking final approval for plans to create hundreds of homes, a conference centre, private health club and public sports facilities.

The closure of the University College of Ripon and York St John, which taught 800 students, was expected to be seriously damaging to the city's future prosperity.

But developers are now pinning their hopes of breathing new life into the area on a decision due to be made by Harrogate Borough Council planners on Thursday.

If planning consent is given, work would immediately start on building two business units, a 100-place children's nursery, a 40-bed elderly people's home and educational facilities for Leeds Metropolitan University.

Richard Sykes, manager of the Harrogate property development firm, said: "Since acquiring the site we have listened carefully to the views of the planners and local community. The integrated scheme, which has been designed to meet the needs of the area, is one which we believe has won the support of local people."

Mr Sykes, son of Yorkshire business tycoon Paul Sykes, added: "I am delighted with the progress we have made, particularly with the planners who have helped us to fast-track the application.

"We have already invested more than 15,000 hours and £500,000 in various consultancy fees, such as structural surveys, architects' plans and archaeological digs. I will be extremely disappointed if we fall at this last hurdle."

Other key elements of the campus redevelopment include the retention of the playing fields and provision of an upgraded football pitch.

Mr Sykes said: "If we can deliver this scheme we will certainly be planning to invest further into Ripon and the surrounding area."