Felpham plan for children's centre

West Sussex County Council wants to build the service at Bishop Tufnell CE Junior School.

The hard-play area at the Pennyfields site will have to be moved to make way for the building.

A statement submitted with the planning application by the county council's director for children and young people, Robert Back, says: 'The centre will be a one stop shop delivering easily-accessible services for families with young children.

'The purpose of a children's centre is to significantly improve the health, well-being and educational attainment of children, particularly those who are disadvantaged.

'It will also help parents lift themselves out of poverty through access to self-development, training and employment opportunities.'

The centre will also act as a hub within the community for parents of children aged up to 14, or 16 with additional needs, by offering out-of-school breakfast and holiday clubs in partnership with others.

Links will also be set up with training and education providers, Jobcentre Plus and the Children's Information Service.

The accommodation in the Bishop Tufnell centre will include a social area with public access computers, a training room, a medical and meeting room for one-to-one confidential meetings and a stay-and-play room.

The centre is the latest to be unveiled for the Bognor Regis area.