A FORMER care home in Yate could be about to become a key component of the community as part of Young Person’s Housing Scheme

The cabinet of South Gloucestershire Council voted on Monday, December 3 that plans to convert the centre would go ahead.

Woodleaze Care Home, on Station Road near the Ridgewood Community Centre, was closed in January earlier this year after it was found to be unsuitable for the needs of residents.

Councillors voted unanimously not to redevelop the site for new housing, but instead retain the building.

This has started the process to convert it to a Young Person’s Supported Living Scheme offering self-contained units for 16 to 25-year-olds, helping those who are homeless or who have left care.

Selling the site on the open market could have netted the council £900,000.

It was highlighted that there is a need to extend the provision for care leavers in South Glos and that the the Woodleaze site provides the opportunity to meet this aim.

Councillor Jon Hunt, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Retaining this building and commencing work on this scheme is of vital importance for the future of our young people.

“Not only will it will provide a better facility to improve our help for them to achieve better outcomes, but it is also highly cost-effective with the saving transferred to the taxpayer.”

Councillor Sue Walker, also of the Yate Central ward, said: “We didn’t feel that the site is appropriate for low cost housing.

“Our opinion is that the site would be good for sheltered housing for young people.

“I have had a meeting with users of the adjacent centre, Grace Evangelical Church and Chair of the neighbourhood watch of Bennett’s Court and after their approval I can wholeheartedly agree with the care facility.

"It is a good thing for the council to do and I am in full support of the decision."