£4 million expansion for secure home

Clare Lodge will expand from 16 to 20 bedrooms and receive new facilities for the young women.

The project is being funded entirely by the Department for Education, which requested the extension, and any future profits will go to Peterborough City Council.

A council spokesman said: “The extension will result in a new wing at the facility with new bedrooms, classrooms and therapy rooms.

“This will ensure the young women in residence will have access to the intensive support and specialist services that they require.

“The cost associated with builds of this specialist nature are far greater than standard residential work.

“Most importantly the building must be a safe environment for the vulnerable people living there, including eliminating ligature (self-harm) risks, and this costs a significant amount in terms of design and build.

“Clare Lodge is highly rated by Ofsted and the service itself generates income for the council which is invested into local services for residents.”

Clare Lodge is the only all-female welfare unit in the UK.

Many of the youngsters who reside there have a history of abuse and exploitation, low self esteem and a range of health and mental health needs.

Most of the residents, who are aged between 10 and 17, come from outside Peterborough, and the city council is then paid to provide them with ongoing support.

Council leader Councillor John Holdich, who is also chairman of Glinton Parish Council, said: “The parish council had no objections in principle to the development of Clare Lodge.

“It’s a well respected and well run unit which always gets good Ofsted reports.

“The city council is not paying for it but will benefit from it as it gets a surplus which goes into services.”