PLANS have been submitted for a new “centre of excellence” for disabled youngsters and their families to be built in York.

The centre would be constructed on the site of the former Windsor House care home near Hob Moor Oaks Special School and will offer support services for children and their families in the community as well as accommodation for short respite breaks.

Councillors agreed £4.2 million of funding for the scheme at a meeting in January, with money coming from the sale of The Glen children’s centre on Ousecliffe Gardens, which currently provides the service for disabled children.

Planning documents say The Glen, which is based in a 1960s converted building, is “no longer fit for purpose.”

Designs include eight bedrooms split into day spaces and accommodation for short breaks, as well as a ninth room for parents to stay with their children.

The application also says: “The breaks provided can be anything from a few hours to a few days a month, for children with a permanent and substantial impairment or illness, which has a profound effect on their health, development and social functioning.

“This provides families with a break from caring whilst they are reassured that their child is safe and enjoying new and positive experiences with their short break carer.”

A spokeswoman for City of York Council said: “Throughout the process the proposals have been co-produced with parents, carers and other stakeholders, who remain involved in all stages of the planning of the new centre. The centre will provide flexible, local, individualised, creative support to disabled children and young people to enable them and their families to have opportunities, high aspirations, independence and be included.”

The service aims to help youngsters make new friends, gain independence and broaden their horizons. Planning documents say it will help disabled children to keep living with their families and in the community.

As part of a consultation with parents and staff, a number of parents said they liked the plans. One said: “It is a very sensible plan, well thought out. The spaces are well planned so children are not separated.” Another parent said the design is “fantastic.”

If the plans are given the green light, construction work is due to start next spring and the scheme should be completed in 2020.