Fantastic home for special youngsters, says council leader

A LARGE town centre property in Yeovil, which has been empty for around five years, has been brought back into use.

Owner Nigel Brown has worked with the local council to get the home back into use for the first time since the Abbeyfield group stopped using it as accommodation for elderly people in 2007.

Since he acquired the building in 2009 Nigel has worked proactively with both South Somerset District Council’s housing and empty property teams to meet local housing need.

That work culminated in the council supporting the renovation and modification of this long term empty property through an award of a grant.
 
In September 2012, the first young people from Mencap’s Lufton College - which offers education for young people aged between 16-25 with learning disabilities - moved in.

Jonathan James, principal of Lufton College, said: ''This property acts as a stepping stone for students with a learning disability with a view to moving onto more independent supported living in the future.”
 
Nigel added:  “I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with the council on the project to bring the property back into use.''

“I am delighted to be associated in a small way with Mencap Lufton College knowing what they do for society.”
 
Council leader, Cllr Ric Pallister, said:  “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with a private developer like Nigel in creating a fantastic home for some very special youngsters in our community and we are all absolutely delighted at the end result.

''As well as acting as that much needed stepping stone on the road to independent living for the students, I know just how much this project will mean to their parents for whom the transition from dependency to independency for their children is such a hugely important phase in their lives.

''I am delighted and very proud of what has been achieved by everyone involved in the success of this exciting, flagship project.''

PHOTO: Property owner Nigel Brown, left, Luton College principal Jonathan James and South Somerset District Council leader Cllr Ric Pallister, right.

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