A drinking den which called time earlier this year is to be transformed into a 21st Century home for adults with learning difficulties.

Fircroft Trust has bought The White Hart in Hook which closed shortly after somebody was assaulted in the car park with a weapon.

The charity will build an eight-bedroom older persons unit, a four-bedroom younger persons unit, two three-bedroom flats for semi-independent living, and a two-bedroom flat.

There will also be staff key worker housing as well as parking spaces and a garden.

The 26 people living in its five properties in Surbiton will move in when the building is complete.

They will try and get planning permission next year.

Chief executive Kay Harris said: “We have been looking for more than two years to find something suitable because the current home, Maple Lodge, is becoming less fit for purpose.

“Our users have real relationships and they want to stay close by each other.

“Having new premises would allow us to provide more opportunities and choices and better quality housing for service users.

“They have lived together for years and it would be tragic to see them having to seperate.”

The charity’s work with people with mental health problems will continue from Fircroft House in Ditton Road, Surbiton.

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