A NEW retirement complex could be on the cards for North Yorkshire.

Plans have been unveiled for a new retirement village off Malton Road, Pickering, by the charity Methodist Homes.

If approved the Mickle Hill Retirement Community complex would see the building of 90 care apartments and 78 one and two-bedroom apartments.

The scheme would also include a community hub comprising a restaurant, coffee shop, hairdressing and beauty salons and treatment rooms.

A planning statement said some concerns had been raised by the public about the scale of the retirement village, traffic and an influx of people from outside Pickering, but the majority who gave their views supported the proposals.

The application said: “There is strong evidence that there is a need to meet the care needs of an increasingly ageing population in Ryedale and particularly in Pickering. This proposal reflects the community’s needs and directly supports its health, social and cultural wellbeing.”

A decision is expected in April.