A CHARITY has launched a £1.5million project to built a state-of-the art assisted living complex and a new respite care centre at its village base.

Acorn Village, a cluster of homes for adults with learning disabilities, wants to build an eight-bedroom single-storey facility for residents that need extra care.

The idea is for the new complex to replace the current Jubilee House for more elderly residents, those that need pallative care, or those that have limited mobility.

Refurbishment and modernisation work will then be carried out on Jubilee House, which was the first house to be purpose-built for the charity in 1978.

Ray Ablett, manager, said: "The whole premise of the organisation is about trying to provide people with learning difficulties with a home for life."

Plans have been submitted to Tendring Council for the new facility.