Help on the way for people with autism as new care home gets the green light in Almondsbury (From Gazette Series)

Help on the way for people with autism as new care home gets the green light on Oaklands Drive in Almondsbury

4:10pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News By Marion Sauvebois

MORE help is on the way for young adults with autism in the Almondsbury area.

People with learning disabilities in the region will receive support adapted to their specific needs at a new care home to be built off the A38 on Oaklands Drive.

The scheme put forward by Options Group initially attracted a swell of opposition from residents of the peaceful cul-de-sac who feared the home would in fact be a secure unit surrounded by barbed wire and under 24-hour surveillance.

They were also extremely upset about the developer’s plans to fence off the fields and woods surrounding the proposed facilities, barring their children from their beloved play area.

Following talks with Options Group and the firm’s pledge to allow local children safe access to the paddock, their concerns were put to rest and they eventually backed the project whole-heartedly.

Under the scheme, the derelict Oaklands House and adjacent buildings will be turned into state-of-the-art facilities for up to 21 residents complete with a daycare service, activity rooms such as a music, pottery and carpentry studios and workshops, an internet café and classrooms.

Keith Burchell, who lives on Oaklands Drive, said he believed the development was right for the area.

"We all realise that the house had to be sued for something and it’s nice to see the place being used again. Having met with Options group the residents’ fears have been allayed," he said. "We look forward to liaising with Options Group and seeing the building used again."