A FORMER vehicle repair workshop on the outskirts of March could become home to a Fenland charity involved in day care provision for up to 100 adults with learning disabilities. FACET, the Fenland Area Community Enterprise Trust, must quit its Marwick Roa

A FORMER vehicle repair workshop on the outskirts of March could become home to a Fenland charity involved in day care provision for up to 100 adults with learning disabilities.

FACET, the Fenland Area Community Enterprise Trust, must quit its Marwick Road centre by next June and has applied for change of use of the workshops in Woodville Drive, a cul-de-sac off the Wisbech Road.

The application for change of use has been made to Fenland District Council by the site owners, mayor of March, Councillor Jan French, and her husband Mick. But their agent says the proposal is "design lead" by FACET's own requirements.

Agent Geoff Taylor says that if approved, FACET will either enter into a long lease of the site or outright purchase.

He says FACET's first requirement is for an accessible site easily reached by mini bus or taxi and a site which is generally open and welcoming to visitors but can, for the safety and security of users, be swiftly secured.

"The facility is used by persons drawn from the whole Fenland area and an accessible central location such as the proposal site is essential," he says.

"The site is accessible and, within limits, visitors are welcome but a location that is away from heavy vehicle movements and industry, as at Marwick Road, has specific advantages."

He said the proposed new site "presents a non-threatening location" and the type of work at the site is unlikely to be as noisy or vehicle intrusive as the present and former occupiers.

Mr Taylor says FACET has about 90 people on its books and everyone who uses the centre has moderate to profound learning disabilities, but daily attendance is usually about 40 because of the high care ratios required.