AMENDED plans to build homes in the grounds of the former Malsis School in Glusburn have been submitted to Craven District Council.

Malsis Ltd has reduced the number of planned new homes from 87 to 70, in addition to the conversion of grade two listed Malsis Hall to a specialist care facility.

Jamie Seddon, managing director of Seddon Developments, and a former pupil of the school, said they had been working closely with planning officers for more than a year.

The company also held a public consultation at the former school - which closed in 2014 due to mounting debts - to discuss the plans in July last year.

"Because of the feedback received from the council, we’ve revised our plans – we’re still going to create a future for Malsis Hall and other notable buildings on site, but we’ve reduced the number of new houses planned, and increased the amount of open space provided," he said.

It is estimated that the new care facility, to be managed by Malsis Care Partnerships, will provide for up to 51 fee paying people, including those who have suffered psychological trauma, and create around 130 new jobs.

It is also planned to provide community sport facilities in the grounds.

Andrew Murray, Director of Malsis Care Partnerships, said the redevelopment was a 'fantastic opportunity'.

“By redeveloping Malsis Hall into a 51-bed specialist care and rehabilitation centre, we will be able to provide a valuable facility to support those in society who have suffered psychological trauma, while also creating 130 new jobs for the area," he said.

Dan Akrigg, secretary of Sutton Juniors football club, said:“The prospect of new sporting facilities being available for Sutton Juniors to call home at Malsis is such an exciting one. It will be a real boost for everyone involved at the club."

A spokesman for Craven District Council said: “The applicant has submitted revised plans at the request of the council, following consultations with Historic England. These plans will be re-publicised and there will be fresh consultation on the revised plans.”

The original application to the council was submitted by Malsis Ltd in June last year.

Permission for 50 new homes to be built in the grounds was approved in 2014, but as an 'enabling development' on the understanding money generated from the new homes would go towards the restoration of the hall, and for community facilities.

The school then closed in the Autumn of the same year, without the legal agreements ever being signed.