BRICKS have been laid at a new £2.4million respite facility in Basingstoke for people with learning and physical disabilities.

The new facility is being built as part of Hampshire County Council’s initiative to improve services for people with learning disabilities and the centre off Warwick Road, in Winklebury, will provide short-term breaks for adults with physical and learning disabilities and respite for their families and carers.

When completed, the new facility will be able to accommodate up to six guests at a time in the safe, high-quality and comfortable home environment.

In addition to the six bedrooms, a sensory room, a quiet area and outside spaces will be included to meet different people’s needs.

The respite facility follows consultation with current users of county council-run learning disability services, their families and carers with views being sought on how future respite, daytime and residential services could be provided.

Councillor Roy Perry, leader of Hamp-shire County Council, said: “We are facing significant challenges in meeting the increasing and changing needs of people requiring care and support.

“This new respite centre is one of the ways we are transforming care to provide a wider range of residential, respite and community services to meet people’s needs.”

Cllr Liz Fairhurst, executive member for adult social care and public health, added: “Throughout the planning, we have worked with people who use our services to ensure that the new building will meet their requirements and offer an environment in which they will be happy.

“Once complete, it will provide a comfortable home-from-home and allow family and carers to take a break in the knowledge that their loved ones are being well looked after.”