An accessible holiday centre in Southport has been given the green light to expand – providing much-needed seaside holidays to disabled people and their carers.
The Revitalise Sandpipers Centre can now expand from 37 bedrooms to 50 bedrooms after Sefton Council approved a planning application for its plans. There were no objections to the scheme.
The expansion of the facilities was seen as vital, offering something which is “increasingly needed with the pressures of the NHS”.
The facility, on Fairway, provides guests with beautiful views across Marine Lake while being situated close by to Southport town centre, and amenities such as Southport Pleasureland, Southport Beach and Southport Pier.
It enables disabled people in the UK to access essential breaks with care, and provides inspirational opportunities for volunteers.
In his report, Sefton Council Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie said: “The site involves small extensions to the existing hotel facility with additional car parking and changes to landscaping arrangements and external appearance.
“As a residential use in a residential area, the proposal will not have an unacceptable impact upon the living conditions of nearby residential properties, and does not impact upon the residential character of the area.
“The site layout will alter from the existing through the removal of the existing pedestrian footbridge that currently offers level access to the first floor, however this is not inclusive due the reception point being located on the ground.
“The removal of the bridge will allow for an improved site layout and flow of traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian. This includes an improved drop off point and creation of a one-way system for cars. This will be supported by additional parking bays, more disabled parking spaces and a new hard /soft landscaped front garden which we would encourage visitors to use.
“These alterations would greatly improve the overall efficiency and spatial layout of the site.
“The extension would not overly dominate and would complement the existing building.
“The proposal is for residential use in a residential area. The nearest other residential properties are located on Promenade, more than 80m away from the application site. Consequently, the proposal would not harm the living conditions of nearby residents.”
The scheme is part of a growing trend for huge new investment around the Marine Lake with Sefton Council and Southport Town Deal due to invest £73million in a new Marine Lake Events Centre plus a water and light show; the £75million Southport Cove due to open on Princes Park; new leisure, hospitality and retail on The Waterfront site next to Bliss Hotel; and exciting plans at Southport Pleasureland which include a new roller coaster, an 18-hole Viking adventure golf which opened last weekend and a recently opened Southport Big Wheel.
The proposals have been drawn up by Southport architects Clayton Architecture, which submitted the proposals to the council.
They said: “The proposal will assist in contributing to the local area economically, socially and environmentally.
“The investment in the building would see a vast improvement in the current facilities and what services they are able to offer in the future.
“The charity has worked hard to offer something which is often overlooked yet is something that is increasingly needed with the pressures of the NHS.”
Revitalise also operates the Jubilee Lodge in Chigwell in Essex and the Waterside House in Netley in Southampton.
The charity was founded in 1963 as the Winged Fellowship Trust (WFT). In 2004 WFT became Vitalise and in 2014 Vitalise became Revitalise.
Revitalise said: “We firmly believe that disabled people should have the same rights, freedoms, responsibilities and quality of life as those without disabilities.
“We are the only charity in the UK that offers accessible breaks for disabled people in a proper holiday environment, combined with the reassurance of expert care support.
“Each of our centres has a team of registered nurses, care assistants and volunteers, giving carers a break too.
“Unpaid family carers can hand over the caring responsibility to us and choose to accompany their loved one to Revitalise or enjoy a break of their own elsewhere, safe in the knowledge that their loved one is being well cared for.”
- For more details about how you can support the Revitalise Sandpipers Centre in Southport please visit: revitalise.org.uk
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