THE owners of a care home have applied to build a bungalow on its grounds as they seek to expand the number of people they look after.

Caring Homes, which runs Vale House, Vale Avenue, Horwich, has lodged a planning application for the two-bedroom bungalow to be built.

The home houses people with learning disabilities who may have issues or behaviours that mean they do not cope well with living with others.

Those living there often have autism, sensory hypersensitivity or other complex conditions.

Caring Homes wishes to increase the number of clients it looks after in Horwich from six to eight, hence the need for more bedrooms and staff quarters.

A report from them has been sent to Bolton Council ahead of their decision on the bungalow.

It states: “The application seeks permission for the development of a bungalow style building comprising two single-bedroom units together with staff accommodation.

“It will be built within the grounds of Vale House.

“The area around the bungalow will be landscaped and the erection of boundary fences will also be undertaken.

“Nine car parking spaces will be provided to serve both the existing property and the proposed unit.

“The service is aimed at enabling people from Bolton who may have spent much of their lives in institutions to be discharged from long stay learning disability hospital settings into homes of their own, where they will be supported to develop their independence skills and have the opportunity to build inclusive, valued lives in the community.

“The unit will function as an extension of the existing Vale House service, with one staff member on duty to provide cover, augmented with additional staff hours depending on the needs and requirements of the individuals.”

Vale House dates back to the early 19th century,

It was previously a private residence, but has been extended and altered throughout.

The house is not statutorily or locally listed, but it is considered a non-designated heritage asset of local significance.

The application will be decided at a date yet to be decided.