Cabinet gives children’s hospice site the green light
Warwickshire County Council is making way for a children’s hospice on surplus school land.
Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet has decided that 0.2 acres of land at Exhall Grange School and Science College is surplus to requirements and should be sold to the Zoe’s Place Trust to develop a baby and child respite hospice for the central Midlands.
The school was identified as an ideal site for the hospice because it already offers children and families a number of extended services and has experience in understanding the needs of children with complex health needs and disabilities.
The school has complementary facilities including a swimming pool and hydrotherapy pool and is designated as a Children’s Centre from April 2008.
The Trust has developed two Zoe’s Places in Liverpool and Middlesborough and the proposed hospice at Exhall Grange would cover the central Midlands.
Cllr John Burton, Cabinet Member for Schools, said: “I am delighted that we are making way for the Zoe’s Place hospice. The proposal to sell the surplus land on the school site has the full support of the school and we are pleased that the site will be used to provide care and support for terminally ill babies and their families.”
Headteacher of Exhall Grange School and Science College, John Truman, said: “We look forward to welcoming Zoe’s Place to Exhall Grange. As a special school we understand the needs of children who may have complex health needs or disabilities.
"Through their provision for babies and young children, Zoe’s Place will really complement a range of services that we currently provide from the school site.”
Exhall Grange School works in partnership with a number of organisations such Take-A-Break to provide short holiday respite activities for children with disabilities.
The proposed scheme at the Exhall Grange site would comprise a residential scale bungalow building with six cot spaces for babies and young children.
The resource would also be used to provide respite to parents and a discussion centre for terminal illness. The plans include a small landscape garden and minimal parking with an ambulance drop off point. The project is subject to planning approval.