A CARE home will be knocked down to make way for a huge new development on the same site.

New Earswick’s Red Lodge care home will be replaced with New Lodge - a complex of 129 sheltered housing or “extra care” apartments and 44 care suites, after City of York Council’s planning committee gave the ambitious plans the green light.

The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust project will also see two new tennis courts built, along with a play area and an all-weather multi use sports court.

Joel Owen, deputy director of the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, said: “I’m delighted that New Lodge has received unanimous backing from City of York councillors, and that we can now move to the next phase of our exciting plans for the centre of New Earswick.

“New Lodge will provide much-needed extra care provision and allow residents to stay in the same home as their needs change.

“When Joseph Rowntree founded New Earswick, his vision was for a balanced village community which residents of all ages could enjoy.

“We will also be starting work on helping people down size, provide much-needed family homes, creating new communal areas and improving facilities like the tennis courts, the Folk Hall and the green spaces in the village to improve New Earswick for all.

“We will work closely with residents to create a new vibrant centre for village life: a 21st Century continuation of our founder’s vision for the way people can live together.”

The plans, which received strong opposition from the community, will see New Earswick Tennis Club relocate to new courts at the sports club.

Some people were objected to the redevelopment taking the club out of the centre of the village.