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Childrens Centre to be built at Holtspur by June 2010
PLANS to build a children's centre to serve parents in Beaconsfield and Holtspur - one of 35 being rolled out across the county - have been approved by Buckinghamshire County Council.
Work on the centre, to be built at Holtspur School on a section of the school's extensive grounds, are due to begin before Christmas with the aim of opening the centre in June next year.
The centre will offer play sessions for under fives and their parents and a drop in centre where health visitors will be available for advice.
Childrens Centres are being rolled out across the country by local authorities who are required to build them by the Government.
BCC made had made changes to the plans following uproar from residents worried about parking and loss of privacy.
The nearby Beacon Centre's car park will be used, and the children's centre will be built further away from properties in Beacon Close than first planned.
Mandie Clemmett, BCC's children's centre strategy manager, said that although the plans state opening hours as 8am to 6pm, sessions are likely to be for only four hours per day.
Children's Centres were originally planned for disadvantaged areas only, but are now being rolled out everywhere, with one centre for every 800 children under five.
The centre at Holtspur School would serve Beaconsfield as well as Holtspur. Those deemed in greatest need would be given priority. Families not in easy reach of the centre will have services taken to community centres near them, and to their homes.
Ms Clemmett said: "The centres are about meeting the needs of local parents and the under fives and making sure they get a better start.
"Parents who have children can become isolated especially if they've just given up work. By supporting them we improve the outcomes for their children. The schools see a benefit because the children come in at reception ready to learn."
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