THE next stage of redevelopment at the old Terry's factory in York could be given the go ahead.

A care home company is likely to be given the green light at a planning meeting next week to convert the confectioners' headquarters building on Bishopthorpe Road.

The building has been vacant since 2011 and now developers Henry Boot and care company Springfield Healthcare want to convert the HQ into an 82-bed care home with eight "extra care" apartments.

The plans include a rooftop mansard extension which the area's Micklegate Planning Panel has objected to, but the overall scheme for the Grade-II has the backing of Historic England.

Papers show that although Henry Boot developers have tried to market the building as an office they have not had success, meaning there is little chance of the building staying in employment use.

At the same time, Adult Social Care bosses at City of York Council have welcomed the care home plan, saying it could help fill a gap in good quality care home provision. They have asked the care company to allocate some places to council-funded residents.

The plans include a roof terrace, an all-weather social area in the former typing pool, and a restored Peace Garden which would be open for care home residents, people living in new homes on the nearby Chocolate Works site, and the wider public.