THE SITE of long-time Leamington community centre Bath Place has been redeveloped as flats for those with disabilities.
The former Victorian school in Old Town – which was previously home to Bath Place Community Venture – was gutted by fire in 2009 and later put on the market by owners Warwickshire County Council.
Developers have now pumped £2million into the All Saints House project – creating 16 apartments for adults with learning and physical disabilities. Staff will also be available onsite.
The development is a joint project between supported living businesses HBV, Lifeways Community Care and Inclusion Housing CIC.
Representatives from Warwickshire County Council and Warwick District Council were at the official opening, along with the new residents and care staff.
County adult social care spokesman Les Caborn said: “It’s important we make sure that some of the most vulnerable members of our community are properly cared for in Leamington and across Warwickshire. This new development is a really good example of what can be achieved in partnership, to provide high quality supported accommodation for vulnerable adults.
“Nationally there is growing population of adults with a range of disabilities, and this is expected to grow even further over the coming years.
“Along with All Saints House, Warwickshire County Council are planning more developments of this calibre which will allow people to remain living independently within their own home, with the knowledge that care staff are on hand all the time.”
Bath Place Community Venture previously used the site for more than three decades providing a vegetarian café, volunteering opportunities, a nursery and mental health services prior to the devastating blaze.
A team of volunteers had created plans to regenerate the building but council chiefs said the work would prove too costly and voted to give the site to developers.
