A NEW base for people with learning disabilities is now officially open in Ramsbottom.

The Ramsbottom Centre, in Bolton Road West, is the latest phase of Bury Council’s plans to modernise services and provide purpose-built venues close to people’s local community.

The plans have already led to the opening of a new venue, The Green, in Clarence Park, Walmersley.

The Ramsbottom Centre is a partnership between the developer, Great Places Housing Group and Bury Council and is part of the redevelopment of the Hazelhurst elderly persons’ home and Whittle Pike day centre sites.

As well as offering day services for people with learning disabilities, the Ramsbottom Centre has been redeveloped to provide 32 bungalows and 14 purpose-built apartments designed to meet the needs of people over the age of 55.

The properties have been designed with level access and generous living spaces to enable future aids and adaptations.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This purpose-built development is great for Bury’s older people to come and live in modern, high quality accommodation: as part of that development, we have this excellent facility for our local people with a learning disability.

“Our modernisation plan is about providing day services for people with a learning disability in purpose-built, modern, stimulating environments.

“This facility in Ramsbottom is all about people getting services close to their homes and within their own communities.”

Matthew Harrison, chief executive of Great Places Housing Group, said: “We’re delighted that Ramsbottom Centre has now opened – it’s great to see it being used and enjoyed by people within the community, and the feedback so far has been really positive.

“The centre is the result of a successful partnership between Great Places and Bury Council, and has been carefully designed to ensure that it sits neatly within the wider residential development.

“At Great Places we’re not just about providing homes – we also want to help build sustainable communities, and I know that this excellent facility will help us do this at Hazelhurst.”