New lease of life for Garden Gang

6.54.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 13th Sep 2007

Council plans for the redevelopment of the Avenue Centre in Hampton Wick will see a fantastic new community centre for adults with learning disabilities and local residents.

The centre will also provide office accommodation for over 60 council and health staff working together. The future of the borough's renowned Garden Gang is also guaranteed. On Monday night the Cabinet voted to make £1.942 million available for the redevelopment of the site to include a community centre catering for up to 100 adults with learning disabilities and a new GP surgery.

Speaking about the decision, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services, Health and Housing on Richmond Council, Cllr Denise Carr, said: "This really is good news. The Avenue Centre has long since passed its sell by date. It has to be redeveloped and it is up to us to achieve this in a way that brings maximum benefit to the community. This is what I believe we have achieved here. £50,000 will be set aside immediately for the relocation of the Garden Gang to a more suitable long term base. This project has brought great opportunities to many people with learning disabilities over the years. It has also brought great credit to our borough and Council and we will be working closely with the voluntary sector to develop the scheme further in the months and years ahead. Local people are going to get a much needed new GP surgery and a community centre, while adults with learning disabilities will also benefit from a state-of-the-art resource in the new Avenue Centre."