Building at Nell Bank Outdoor Centre, Ilkley, will house children with special needs (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Building at Nell Bank Outdoor Centre, Ilkley, will house children with special needs

9:20am Saturday 4th July 2009 in

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Work has started on a state-of-the-art £460,000 residential unit for children and young people with disabilities.

The building at Nell Bank Outdoor Education Centre, Denton Road, Ilkley, will have room for up to 12 children with additional needs and their carers.

It will feature under-floor heating, solar panels, large changing and washing areas and a spa bath.

Centre manager Bruce Fowler and young disabled visitors at Braithwaite Special School, in Keighley, cut the first sod at the site yesterday and diggers are due to roll in on Monday.

Funding for the project has been awarded by Aiming High, a Government scheme to support projects for youngsters with disabilities. Bradford is leading the way with an overall £5 million pilot scheme.

Councillor Michael Kelly, the Council’s executive member for children’s services, said: “This is great news that Nell Bank has been given the funding to help expand the centre and allow more children and young people to enjoy the excellent activities on offer.

“It also reflects our B-Someone campaign which is about making sure children and young people, of all abilities, are given the support they need to boost their skills and go on to achieve.”

Mr Fowler said: “This funding enables us to ensure disabled children can take advantage of and fully enjoy a residential experience alongside their more able-bodied friends.”

The centre won the National Lottery Awards best environmental project in the country in 2008.

e-mail: will.kilner@telegraphandargus.co.uk