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Colne respite centre on the cards
FINGERS CROSSED: Jane Rogerson is hoping the planning application to open a respite centre at Bluebell Farm in Colne will be approved
A UNIQUE activity day centre in Colne may soon offer respite care for adults with additional needs.
Blue Bell Rural Activities, based at Blue Bell Farm, in Skipton Old Road, currently offers a wide range of activities, including horticulture, gardening, animal husbandry and eco-crafts, to individuals with learning difficulties or special needs.
Now, owner Jane Rogerson, who has worked in the care service provision for approximately eight years, is hopeful that new plans to incorporate a residential respite centre into the site will be given the green light by Pendle Council.
Permission was granted in January 2010, to change the agricultural barn into an activity day centre, along with the erection of a two storey extension to the rear.
The centre opened officially in January 2011, and there are nine adults on the books who attend the centre every week.
If approved, the new plans, which came about as a result of parents’ and carers’ enquiries, would see the first floor of the two-storey extension transformed into sleeping accommodation for three adults, with staff accommodation. There would also be associated bathrooms.
The internal layout of the ground floor accommodation would only be slightly altered from the original plan, to accommodate any disabled people requiring a respite facility.
NHS trained Jane, who lives at Blue Bell Farm with her partner Russell Holdsworth, said: “We are looking at getting respite care. Parents have been asking, and we have got a list of people that want it.
“Some parents are under a lot of stress. If we offered 24 hour care, it would give them a bit of a break.
“The adults that come here really love it — we work together as a team.
“We would start working on it in early New Year if plans are approved.”
In the planning justification statement, it is confirmed that there would be no difference to the external appearance of the building, and landscaping to the site would remain unaltered.
Plans are scheduled for determination by officers using delegated powers.
For more information on Blue Bell Farm ring Deborah Kenyon on 07523 696982.
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Weather for Pendle
Tuesday 18 June 2013
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Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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