MORE details of the residential home being built as part of a ground-breaking 'Deaf Village' have been revealed, as it was announced it will open in May.

The White House will home five deaf residents as part of the major improvement of the facilities on Preston Old Road, Blackburn, attached to the School of Sign Language.

The converted property will complete a specialist deaf hub aimed at reducing social isolation for those with hearing problems.

The design particulars of the £700,000 project have been given in a detailed planning application to turn the home into 'a residential institution for over-16s in association with adjacent deaf hub and erection of ancillary outbuilding'.

The conversion already has an outline planning permission.

Supporting documents written by Debra Cartlidge, the managing director of Blackburn’s School of Sign Language, give details of the conversion work and the mission of the addition to the 'Deaf Village'.

Her planning statement says: "The White House is a historic 17th century cottage situated in two acres of woodland beautiful valley on the cusp of Pleasington.

"The building is undergoing a complete modern SMARThome refurbishment."

It will include:
* five self-contained living quarters;
* a large modern kitchen extension and communal living quarters that opens out towards the views of the valley and the woodland;
* in house residential support worker and BSL 'night light' nurse call support;
* family room for visits and communal activities;
* large woodland gardens and green space; and
* an ancillary building in the garden for use by residents.

The mission statement says: "The White House provides a safe place and space for deaf adults with complex needs; a nurturing accessible ‘family’ community enables young adults to grow and thrive in a shared-learning environment; developing life-skills, independence and self-hood; to ‘give back’ dreams and aspirations and, above all, possibilities to our young deaf adults.

"Our residents typically come from backgrounds where they have struggled within their own family home environment or been caught up in social care for most of their young adult lives."

Mrs Cartlidge said: "The White House is due to open in May. We are very excited about it."

Blackburn with Darwen Council health boss Cllr Damian Talbot has welcomed the new scheme.

He said: “This sounds 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."