CHILDREN with learning disabilities and additional needs could soon receive care and support on an estate purchased by Scottish Borders Council for around £11m.

The local authority bought the Lowood Estate near Melrose back in 2019.

Lowood House, cottages and stable flats have been unoccupied and unused since purchase.

Looking to the future there are proposals for the estate site to be used for a combination of housing, elderly care and industrial units.

Now an in-house application has been submitted by SBC to its own planning department to utilise a stable block on the estate to provide respite care for children and young people aged seven to 22 with learning disabilities.

This may include, but not be restricted to, those with additional needs such as Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, global developmental delay, ADHD and other associated diagnosis.

SBC currently sends more than 20 young people who have requirements for care outwith the council boundary.

Now among cost concerns the council is looking to identify suitable buildings for the provision of care within the Borders to help reduce this expenditure.

A few properties have been identified and Lowood Estate meets a number of the required criteria for the provision of care to young people.

A report with the application states: “The stables block and Lowood Estate is set on the outskirts of Galashiels in a quiet rural estate, the building is a converted stable.

“The train station is located near the house in a walk-able distance with links to the centre of Galashiels and Edinburgh. Lowood House has its own access to transport and the young person within the home can go on a wide variety of activities.

“We believe Lowood is a very special and unique home for one child or young person with varying needs. At Lowood we want to ensure that our young people feel valued and part of a family.

“We will achieve this by welcoming the young people into Lowood supporting them to settle and offering a secure and a safe place to reach their full potential.

“The stables block contains two flats each of which are self-contained with two large en-suite bedrooms, two bathrooms, one with a shower and one with a bath both with toilets along with kitchens and living accommodation.

“One of the bedrooms will become the staff bedroom and office. The Lowood team will strive to meet the needs of young people who come into the home.”