GIANT cranes have moved onto the Parley Lane campus to begin the next building phase in the development of the Wessex Autistic Society's pioneering Portfield School.

The £750,000 scheme, expected to be completed in the spring, will provide two boarding bungalows to house 16 Portfield pupils and a residential respite facility to accommodate young-sters with autism.

Designed to cater for up to 80 students aged between three and 16 years, the Portfield School already has two eight-bed boarding bungalows on the Parley Lane site while other pupils are accommodated at the former Portfield site in Christchurch.

Funding for the new bungalows and respite care home has largely come through donations from charitable trusts and local fund-raising efforts in support of the society's long-running Domino appeal.

Meanwhile, fund-raising is continuing towards the expected £650,000 cost of a therapy pool to complete the ambitious Portfield project to replace the outgrown and outdated converted premises in Christchurch with a purpose-built school for children with autism.

After years of planning and fund-raising, building began in 2001 and the school was officially opened by HRH the Princess Royal the following year.

First published: Oct 4