Backing grows for family centre

Bolton Council planning chiefs passed the £900,000 scheme, which will be built in Lord Street, Kearsley, to provide support for families with young children.

The council held a fun day at Moses Gate Country Park to mark a fresh start for the centre, which met criticism from residents worried about traffic.

Liz Dearden, operational manager for Sure Start in Farnworth, said: "There was a bit of controversy because residents were worried about traffic but planning permission has been granted and many people have contacted us saying they think it's an exciting project.

"Sure Start is about helping families with children aged 0-3. Some of them are quite isolated and are not accessing services like health care and education.

"We are bringing those facilities to them as well as free courses for adults and creche facilities so parents can develop as well as children."

Free food and activities including puppet shows, face-painting and arts and crafts were laid on at the fun day. The centre will be the fourth to be built in Bolton, working with their parents and providing help with play, learning, health services, child care and family support.

It will open at a building in Campbell Street from September and the new building is expected to be completed next summer.

Some residents are unhappy about the location of the centre, part of which will be built on St Gregory's School field, because they say it will cause extra traffic.

Mark Cunningham, who led an action group against the plans, said a car had bumped into a pillar on the corner of Lord Street and Church Road near the site only last week.

"I was very disappointed but not at all surprised by the decision to pass the scheme. I felt that the decision was made before any consultation was done," he said.

The new community centre will be managed by Sure Start Bolton in Mawdsley Street in partnership with Bolton Council, the health service, community and voluntary groups.

A NEW centre aiming to provide much-needed help to isolated parents has been officially launched despite coming under fire from local residents.

Bolton Council planning chiefs passed the £900,000 scheme, which will be built in Lord Street, Kearsley, to provide support for families with young children.

The council held a fun day at Moses Gate Country Park to mark a fresh start for the centre, which met criticism from residents worried about traffic.

Liz Dearden, operational manager for Sure Start in Farnworth, said: "There was a bit of controversy because residents were worried about traffic but planning permission has been granted and many people have contacted us saying they think it's an exciting project.

"Sure Start is about helping families with children aged 0-3. Some of them are quite isolated and are not accessing services like health care and education.

"We are bringing those facilities to them as well as free courses for adults and creche facilities so parents can develop as well as children."

Free food and activities including puppet shows, face-painting and arts and crafts were laid on at the fun day. The centre will be the fourth to be built in Bolton, working with their parents and providing help with play, learning, health services, child care and family support.

It will open at a building in Campbell Street from September and the new building is expected to be completed next summer.

Some residents are unhappy about the location of the centre, part of which will be built on St Gregory's School field, because they say it will cause extra traffic.

Mark Cunningham, who led an action group against the plans, said a car had bumped into a pillar on the corner of Lord Street and Church Road near the site only last week.

"I was very disappointed but not at all surprised by the decision to pass the scheme. I felt that the decision was made before any consultation was done," he said.

The new community centre will be managed by Sure Start Bolton in Mawdsley Street in partnership with Bolton Council, the health service, community and voluntary groups.