New disabled care centre planned

SEVERELY disabled children in Huntingdonshire may get state-of-the art new facilities for times when their families need a break from caring for them. At the moment they are looked after at Hill Rise, Buttsgrove, in Oxmoor, in a two-storey building with n

SEVERELY disabled children in Huntingdonshire may get state-of-the art new facilities for times when their families need a break from caring for them.

At the moment they are looked after at Hill Rise, Buttsgrove, in Oxmoor, in a two-storey building with no lift.

Now Cambridgeshire County Council wants to replace it with a new single storey eight-bedroom residential centre off Christie Drive, close to Huntingdon's Hinchingbrooke Country Park.

But because the land is not zoned for such use, planners must alter the county's structure plan before the detailed scheme can be considered by Huntingdonshire District Council, probably in the summer.

County council spokesman Glenn Thwaites said the new facility - in the same way as the Buttsgrove facility - would be available 365 days a year for eight to 19-year-olds with severe disabilities.

He added: "The present facility is simply not fit for purpose. The new one will be purpose-built with hoists, special bathrooms and some medical care facilities. It's an ideal location, because of the park, which is an added bonus."

If the plan is approved, the new centre could be open before the end of 2007, with the 15 care staff transferring from Hill Rise.

Around 20 children and young people currently use the facility, some one weekend a month, others just two or three times a year.

They can alsostay for a fortnight when their carer-families go on holiday.