Jane Halpin and Denise Armer, co-founders of Unique Kidz and Co at the Morecambe centre
Plans to expand and revamp a Morecambe centre for disabled children and adults have been given the green light.
Unique Kidz and Co has had planning approved for a project that would transform its current outside space and building and the lives of those who use it.
The two-stage project will see the charity's centre on Woodhill Lane extended and its field, next to Acre Moss Lane, landscaped, once funding partners are found.
The Unique Kidz team wants to transform the outdoor space to fit seamlessly into the environment, and incorporate an accessible play area, cycle track, sensory gardens, growing garden, and two specialist lodges.
They aim to extend the building and reform its internal layout to allow increased capacity and new spaces, such as sensory rooms, therapy suites and an accessible kitchen.
The charity, which has just celebrated its 15th anniversary, currently has 187 disabled young people on its register, with numbers continuing to increase and its services at capacity.
Unique Kidz has outgrown its building and land, but this new project has the potential to allow them to take on more disabled young people, expand their services, and provide more accessible spaces, meaningful activities, and opportunities.
These plans show how the transformed centre might look.
“Following years of hard work and determination by us and our partners at HPA Architects and Landscape Architect Laurel Truscott, we are over the moon that we have finally been given planning permission for this project," said Jane Halpin, co-founder and trustee of Unique Kidz.
"We are so excited about the potential of this project, and how genuinely lifechanging it could be for the disabled young people and families that currently use our centre and for those that currently cannot access our services to lack of space.”
Denise Armer, co-founder and trustee of Unique Kidz added: “Now the hard work begins all over again.
"We are determined to bring this project to life for all the disabled young people and families that need our support. So now we will be seeking strategic funding partners to support us in the delivery of this project and as always, we’ll be reaching out to businesses, individuals, and communities for their support too, so we can hopefully move forward with our exciting development.”
Jane and Denise are pictured in the field next to the Unique Kidz centre.
After 18 seasons in the English Football League, Morecambe's relegation to the National League was confirmed after a 3-1 defeat to Salford at the Mazuma on Easter Monday.
The group behind the reopening of the public toilets in Heysham village say the facility will be temporarily closed due to travellers setting up camp on the green.
Organisers of Morecambe's longest running music festival have thanked a company that champions young people with disabilities for saving this year's event.
Fundraisers are under way in memory of a much-loved sports student from Lancaster & Morecambe College who died suddenly of cardiac arrest aged just 18.