A farm-based education centre that helps people gain qualifications in animal care has been given the green light to open a specialised building.
Situated on a five-acre farm in the Harwood area of Bolton, the Heyhead Farm Education Centre is attended by adults and children with additional needs.
Adults do courses in subjects such as bakery and craft work, earning a wage while they do it, and work towards a qualification in animal care.
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The centre is also referred children with emotional or behavioural issues, with the hope of eventually getting them re-integrated into traditional education.
Due to the pandemic, Heyhead Farm Education Centre had to close, but in July 2020 a planning application to build a two-storey education facility, with a classroom, baking area, toilets and office facilities, was submitted to Bolton council.
Almost a year later, this application has finally been approved.
Owner Alex Bailey said: "We opened in January 2018 but due to Covid, we had to close as there is only one classroom that's outside.
"Previously we used the kitchen in my house and the toilets but obviously this was a no-go, especially as my husband is a doctor on the Covid wards.
"It's been a difficult year.
"I'm quite happy now though. I'm looking forward to letting people know that come September or October they'll be able to return to us and we can hopefully improve their life."
The application has been approved with a number of conditions, including that it can open for 195 days of the year.
The new building will also have to be built within the next two years.
