Devastation as council decision threatens future of popular open house

By The Newsroom
Published 16th Sep 2016, 15:26 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:32 BST
Samantha and her four children. She decided to open her house to other families because two of her boys have disabilities and it was so difficult to take them outSamantha and her four children. She decided to open her house to other families because two of her boys have disabilities and it was so difficult to take them out
Samantha and her four children. She decided to open her house to other families because two of her boys have disabilities and it was so difficult to take them out

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A woman who opened her home for families with children with special needs has described her devastation over a council decision which could see the facility close.

Samantha Staniforth runs Olive Tree House, in Links Avenue, Felpham, as a not-for-profit venture, providing a relaxing environment for families to meet.

But its future hangs in the balance, after Arun District Council refused planning permission to change the property to an ‘open house’.

“I was devastated,” said Samantha.

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