Work is to start on site later this week on a new respite centre in Argyll and Bute for children with a disability.

The Provost of Argyll and Bute, Councillor William Petrie, is to cut the first turf on the Ardlui House facility in a special ceremony on Thursday (12th).

Among those also invited are the Chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Councillor George Freeman, Social Services spokesperson Councillor Donald McIntosh and parents of children who are likely to use the facility.

Ardlui House, which is being built in the grounds of Parklands School in Helensburgh, will provide high quality care for children affected by a disability from across Argyll and Bute.

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It will mean these young people will not have to travel to other parts of the country for specialist care.

The centre will be run as a strategic partnership between Argyll and Bute Council and the Sense Scotland charity, which has significant experience in providing specialised services, including respite care.

The Provost said it was a big day for everyone involved in caring for children with a disability.

"The details of this unit were agreed after four years of consultation, and I am sure that the quality of the completed facility will reflect the care put into its design," Councillor Petrie added.

"It is very exciting for all of us that Ardlui House is about to become a reality, and I am delighted to be cutting the turf on the project.

"We believe it is very important that children from Argyll and Bute who are affected by disabilities, along with their parents and carers, have the opportunity to access essential services locally rather than having to travel elsewhere in Scotland."

The unit, which will have five beds, will create 17 new jobs in the Helensburgh area.

It will be constructed by DCF Joiners and Building Services Ltd of Dumbarton. Representatives of both the contractor and Sense Scotland will be at the turf cutting ceremony.

(GK/BMcC)