Disabled care facility could get new home

THE Leonard Cheshire home for younger adult disabled residents could be set for a move to the centre of Huntingdon.

Faced with difficulties in converting its present building in Brampton to provide modern accommodation, the charity - founded in 1948 by the eponymous war hero - has been in talks with Huntingdon-based social landlord, the Luminus Group, about a possible move to the old Brookside School site on Huntingdon ring road.

Luminus acquired the site from German supermarket giant Lidl after it was refused planning consent to open a store there. It is earmarked for social housing, and a move by the charity would probably fit well.

"We're still at a very early stage, and nothing could happen for at least three years," Linda Holm, the charity's regional development manager, told The Hunts Post.

"There are some deficiencies in the current accommodation, which is not divided into smaller facilities with greater privacy. All 21 residents share the same lounge and dining area, and we can't find a good solution to that at The Manor in Brampton.

"Although the building is not listed, it's in the conservation area, which makes development there difficult."

Ms Holm said any move would provide state-of-the-art accommodation for as many residents as the present building opposite Brampton's parish church of St Mary Magdalene.

The charity has run the Manor Home in Brampton since 1991.

Luminus said it expected to submit a detailed application towards the end of this month.

"Luminus Group has been continuing discussions with various partners about the potential provision of high quality older persons' housing in the centre of Huntingdon," a spokesman said.

"This will include providing new homes for residents of its current Cromwell Square sheltered housing scheme, as well as specialised extra care."

A meeting was due to be held with residents yesterday evening, as The Hunts Post went to press.