A COUPLE are embarking on the project of a life-time to create a supported living development - after an undercover investigation into the care of adults with disabilities made them determined to provide a positive future for their own son.

Paul and Julie Connaughton have purchased a farmhouse and 23 acres of farmland at Busby, near Stokesley, to establish their own supported living accommodation and respite facility on a community farm.

Paul, is a former police officer, and Julie, a former regional marketing manager for major organisations including the Department of Health, Tesco, Lexus and Land Rover and have two children, Abigail and James, 16, who has Hypertonia Cerebral Palsy.

Julie said on reaching 50 and her son, James, turning 16 she was prompted to stop and re-evaluated the future after watching BBC’s Panorama investigating Winterbourne View care home.

The investigation revealed shocking and degrading abuse of disabled patients and prompted Julie to conclude that the standard of care “can often be totally unacceptable for our son and we had to wonder what the future held when we weren’t around for him”.

Two years ago, they started work on their project to create a centre of excellence in the region for families like their own.

Now they have sold their home in Maltby, near Ingleby Barwick, to help fund the centre at Thorntree Farm and also secured funding from an investor to purchase the £1.5m investment.

The James Paul Connaughton Community Farm will provide a 5-star (Outstanding) supported living environment for those with additional needs and will promote an interactive, community engaged lifestyle for the residents.

Planning permission has also been obtained to create independent supported living for up to 18 adults with special or complex needs at JPC Community Farm. It will initially offer 15 apartments and a three-bed shared living house, with space for future development.

Other plans for the development include a specially-adapted outdoor play area with wheelchair swings, zip wire and exercise equipment; a small petting farm, wheelchair basketball court and trampolines.

Paul said within days of announcing the purchase of the farm they were receiving enquiries from around the UK.

“We’ve had enquiries from as far away as Surrey and Leeds as well as people in the local area. The potential to fill it is already there,” he said.

Paul said they are now inviting local tradespeople to tender for contracts for building work on the farm.

Open days for professionals and families interested in JPC farm are to take place in May, with dates to be confirmed later.

The project is expected to be completed within the next 12 months.

For more information on the project, or open days, email; info@jpc.co.uk

Anyone wanting to donate can visit; gofundme.com/jamesrespitecentre