A LASTING tribute to two young jockeys who died in a fire in Norton has moved a step closer.

Racing Welfare has secured planning consent to convert a property in Malton which will provide safe, supported accommodation for young stable staff in the area along with a suite for use by the wider racing community

The Victorian building at 4 Old Maltongate, which is formerly a solictior's office, had already been granted residential change of use by Ryedale District Council.

Work will now start to convert the ground floor into the charity’s regional welfare office, with the upper floors being transformed into four bedrooms, a communal lounge, kitchen and bathrooms.

The outbuildings will be demolished to create two additional bedrooms on the first floor with a community suite on the ground floor.

Simon Clarke the Chairman of Racing Homes, which is Racing Welfare’s Housing Association, said the property would provide young people, entering the racing industry in Malton, with comfortable homes and added personal support from the local Racing Welfare team.

“Our ongoing consultation with Malton’s racing community will ensure that our latest development caters for the needs of the town’s racing people," he added.

"Our proposed plans for the development of the outbuildings into a community and IT suite will provide an educational and social meeting space for the wider racing community in Malton”.

Mr Clarke said: "The six new homes will give peace of mind to young residents and their families as they take their first steps into the challenging world of racing, and the development of the outbuildings will benefit the Malton racing community as a whole.”.

The new facility is planned to open in early 2015 with a total re-development cost estimated to be around £400,000.

Part of the funds for the development were donated after the deaths of Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson in a fire at Buckrose Court in September 2009.

Racing Welfare has a portfolio of over 160 properties nationwide that provide homes for young people and those who have retired from the racing industry.