PLANS to use a Victorian farmhouse to expand a training centre for vulnerable people have been given the go-ahead.

The Salvation Army has been granted planning permission to convert Park Farm, in Park Chase, Hadleigh, into a skills centre for adults with learning disabilities or who are in difficult circumstances.

The new building will allow the Christian organisation to increase the scale and scope of the courses it currently offers at its Hadleigh Farm training centre, in Castle Lane.

The centre provides employment and life skills for a wide range of vulnerable adults, including those with learning difficulties, mental health problems and people recovering from trauma or serious illnesses.

Beverley Egan, Salvation Army events organiser, said: “This is great news. The work that goes on at Hadleigh Farm is, quite simply, transforming.

“It just changes people totally. It’s not just about getting people back into work, it’s about improving their self confidence.

“I’ve heard parents say things like ‘thank you for giving me my son back’ after people have started our courses.”

The Salvation Army does not plan to increase the number of trainees it caters for, but the new building will allow it to improve the standards of its facilities.

The organisation’s successful horticultural unit, which sees trainees grow plants, flowers and fruit and vegetables, will be moved to the new building.

The group said there may also be the opportunity to create “a small number” of new jobs as part of the move.

Castle Point Council has asked the developers to conduct a wildlife survey before work begins, as the site borders Hadleigh Country Park.

The authority has also stipulated no work should begin before it is confirmed whether bats are living in the building.