Staff at Copsale centre ‘over the moon’ at plans’ approval

Staff at a Copsale centre supporting young adults with learning difficulties are ‘over the moon’ at receiving permission to expand their facilities.
By Joshua Powling
Published 10th Aug 2015, 11:03 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

A fund set up in the wake of the Shoreham air disaster has received more than £15,000A fund set up in the wake of the Shoreham air disaster has received more than £15,000
A fund set up in the wake of the Shoreham air disaster has received more than £15,000

Oaktree Farm Care, based in Copsale Road, saw its application for a new building to provide overnight residential respite care granted by Horsham District Council’s Development Control North Committee on Tuesday night.

It would include indoor communal spaces, 12 bedrooms for customers and three for staff, as well as a kitchen and office accommodation for staff.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Currently Oaktree Farm provides respite day care and puts on outdoor activities such as cycling and gardening, while indoors there is a carpentry and woodwork workshop, cycling repair area, together with reading, craft, IT and meeting rooms.

The new building will allow them to provide overnight respite accommodation and more indoor activities.

After the meeting Dave Curran, senior manager at Oaktree Farm Care, described being ‘over the moon’ and said it was ‘absolutely fantastic’ that their application had been approved.

He added: “It’s very much needed as there’s only one other respite centre nearby in Crawley.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He told councillors during the meeting that the new facilities would give parents and relatives short breaks from the job of being full-time carers.

Mr Curran added: “It will be a much sought-after facility and will be a credit to the district.”

The committee also heard from a parent whose son had profound autism and the difficulty they had in securing any respite care in the area.

As the local member Toni Bradnum (Con, Nuthurst) said that she ‘wished them every success’.

Councillors unanimously approved the application.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.wscountytimes.co.uk

2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wscountytimes

3 Follow us on Twitter @wscountytimes

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!

The County Times – always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics:Horsham District CouncilCrawleyFacebook