A KILWINNING centre for adults with learning difficulties is set to close.

The Fergushill Day Centre will be replaced by a new £5.8m facility adjacent to Auchenharvie Academy in Stevenston after the proposal was approved by North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet.

The location for the new Learning Disability Day Centre, which will be funded through the council’s capital plan, was selected from a list of 15 sites across Irvine and the Three Towns.

It was judged against a broad range of criteria such as access, transport links, site size and ownership, and links to the community.

NAC insisted that throughout the project’s development, North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership and Property Management and Investment have been working closely with service users, staff, patients and carers.

The council also claim that the location for the new site has been “warmly welcomed” by those involved in the discussions and will ensure a high quality service.

It will also include a specialist provision for those with severe and complex needs along with a facility to improve operational performance, ensure the future demands of the service are met and provide a community hub for the neighbourhood and wider area.

Councillor Anthea Dickson, Cabinet member for health and social care, said: “The proposed new facility will ensure we are able to continue to provide high quality services for those with severe and complex needs in a modern, fit-for-purpose facility, which is designed to meet the needs of our service users.

“This is great news and a very welcome development.”