PLANS have been lodged for an activity centre for children in Test Valley.

The news comes after the plans were put in to the council to change the use of the Lone Barn Studio One in Stanbridge Lane, Awbridge from business and light industry to a short break activity centre.

The plans have been lodged by Claire Carter who has a lease on the building and is the CEO of Chances Give Choices which is also located in Stanbridge Lane.

Chances Give Choices is a child care agency and was established by Claire in 2014.

Claire, has submitted application to turn the barn studio into a centre for "children who are in a moment of crisis to come for a higher activity and healthy living programme.

"For example this may be giving a child respite who is having issues with their foster family,

"The whole point of the centre is to try to help save that relationship as stability is key for children in care.

"Coming to the centre could save their foster family relationship from breaking down.

"We will offer a flexible approach to the needs of young people and provide a high activity short break scheme that enables children and young people time to reflect on their current circumstances as well as build on their personal, social and emotional development."

Claire said that the centre would cater for three children at a time with twelve members of staff and two managers.

She added: "We would hold therapeutic activities that make them feel alive."

Claire who was a foster carer for ten years said that activities would include, forest walking, rock climbing, camping expeditions and much more.

The service will be for children aged between 11 and 17 years old and they will be able to use the centre at Chances Gives Choices for 28 days over a 12 month period.

The children who are enrolled on to the programme would use the barn as a base point for them to shower, complete laundry and have breaks between activities.

Currently the building is set up and ready to use for the proposed idea to begin.

Councillor Nick Adams King who is the Deputy Leader of Test Valley said: "Chances Give Choices do some great work in regard to children in care and their families.

"There is a fair bit of work to be done to assess if the accommodation is suitable and this will be assessed by the council in the coming weeks."