A day service that provides support for adults with disabilities and mental health conditions is set to be relocated to a new modern building.
The South Oxhey day service is currently based in Northwick Park, which has been described as in “poor condition” and needing “considerable investment”.
Rather than spending money on the current building, Hertfordshire County Council is looking to move the service to a new home less than a mile away at Sir James Altham playing fields, forming part of a larger development that is being built.
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The cost to relocate is undisclosed for now but it would funded by the council’s capital budget, which would be boosted by the sale of another day service site in Stevenage.
Council papers state a move across South Oxhey is necessary to meet current and future service requirements.
The South Oxhey day service provides support for adults with a learning or physical disability, age-related or mental health condition.
The service has been operating for approximately 35 years and has 24 members of staff. Sixty people currently attend the service over the course of a week.
A public consultation held earlier this year found 92% of respondents were in favour of moving to the playing fields.
Comments described the relocation as a "positive" move, enabling the service to provide "better opportunities and activities" for service users. It is hoped the service could become an asset to the wider community in South Oxhey, with the potential to strengthen ties with Oxhey Jets Football Club.
The proposed new home, which would be subject to planning permission, would enable people to have access to a “modern and fit for purpose space”, and include parking and outdoor space.
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A fellow day service based at Leyden House in Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, also looks to be on the move, with part of the site of the former Pin Green school playing fields in the town being considered as a potential new home.
The council’s resources and performance cabinet panel will be asked to endorse the proposed moves at a meeting on Thursday, with it going to cabinet on October 11.
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