A CHARITY has pledged half a million pounds towards building a home for people with dementia.

Supporters of the Peaceful Place charity are celebrating the £500,000 windfall from the south Essex-based Heath Charitable Trust.

However, the future of the project - which aims to build a specialist residential home in Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh, for younger dementia sufferers - remains unclear as Rochford District Council has refused planning permission the site.

The nearest similar centre, caring for patients aged 45 to 65, is in Milton Keynes.

Published Wednesday, November 23, 2005