'New way forward' for youth hub as school moves in

A neglected Paignton community youth hub is to be brought back to life as part of a radical new strategy for local children.

Mayfield School, a school for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND, will become the main long-term user of the building known as New Parkfield.

The centre was built in 2011 with £4.8m from the government's MyPlace funds as a hub for community youth services and included a BMX track, sports hall, climbing wall, recording studio, cafe and skate park.

Mayfield's headteacher Stuart Heron said the bay faced a "perfect storm" of demand for SEND services and New Parkfield could provide a solution.

He said: "A venue like this could be such a life-enhancing opportunity – a place where young people can go and feel safe."

The building off Colin Road has never been fully used, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It was most recently home to the Medical Tuition Service, for children who cannot attend other schools because of their medical needs.

The lease is being handed to the People's Parkfield community interest company, which already manages the track and skate park.

Mayfield will be the main tenant and will use the building during school hours, with People's Parkfield running it during evenings and weekends.

Torbay councillor Chris Lewis (Con, Preston) said: "New Parkfield has lost its way. This is a new way forward."

He paid tribute to the company's work on the rest of the site and added: "In the past few years it just hasn't been used."

Conservative Nick Bye, who represents Wellswood, told the council's cabinet: "This is a new beginning – the start of a new deal for our children and young people. It is important that we do things differently.

"We absolutely have to do better for our children and young people."

He said New Parkfield never lived up to its expectations as a centre for youth activities.

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