EAST Lancashire could get its own ‘deaf village’ to reduce social isolation for those with hearing problems.

The £700,000 project is the brainchild of Debra Cartlidge, the managing director of Blackburn’s School of Sign Language.

The 15-year-old company, which works to boost communication for those with hearing difficulties, moved into new premises in Preston Old Road in September.

Having set up its Deaf Hub, it has bought the neighbouring detached house in two acres of grounds to create a home with support for five deaf people.

Mrs Cartlidge, 47, has applied for planning permission from Blackburn with Darwen Council to turn the property into a house in multiple occupation.

The aim is to turn the two premises into a ‘deaf village’ providing wrap-around support and education for hearing loss sufferers and training for individuals and organisations in sign language.

The School of Sign language employs 22 people including communication specialists, wellbeing officers and sign language interpreters. It also has an online presence.

The news of the project has been welcomed by Blackburn with Darwen Council health boss Cllr Damian Talbot.

If approved the new house will have five en-suite studio flats for deaf residents, an apartment for a staff member to stay overnight, and communal areas including a kitchen, lounge, recreation room, sauna, jacuzzi and hot tub.

There is also potential to use two log cabins in the grounds as holiday lets managed by the residents.

Mrs Cartlidge, deaf since childhood and raised in Mill Hill, said: “Creating a ‘Deaf Village’ has always been a dream of mine.

“A chance encounter with someone who encouraged me to learn British Sign Language changed my life.

“We do a lot of work with deaf people, schools and organisations across the country to help people with hearing difficulties communicate.

“This is all about giving deaf people opportunities to learn, live and get jobs.

“If we get planning permission, the ‘village’ will provide wrap-around support for the residents and work with the school’s hub to reduce the isolation many deaf people suffer from.

“We are looking at investing £700,000 in the project.”

Cllr Talbot said: “The School of Sign Language does excellent work supporting those with hearing conditions and this sounds like an exciting project which will help its residents and service users to build confidence and resilience.

“It is fantastic the company is looking to put such an investment into supporting local deaf people.

“Social isolation is a major issue for the deaf community so anything done to address this is to be applauded."