Work to enable the creation of a Family, Belonging and Inclusion Hub at Carn Gwaval is due to begin on Tuesday 26 May 2026. In order to allow this initial phase of the development to begin, it may be necessary to establish a temporary diversion along the footpath in front of the Carn Gwaval Wellbeing Centre (as indicated by the map shown in Image 1 below).
The footpath from Doyley Woods to Carn Gwaval Wellbeing Centre will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists for the duration of the work. During the excavation phase, a dedicated banksman will be present to actively manage movements, monitor the boundary between the work and members of the public, and ensure that everyone is guided safely through the area. Where necessary, a clearly signed and marshalled temporary diversion will be implemented to ensure public safety. This diversion will route pedestrians around the works via the entrance to the Hub, maintaining safe access at all times. If needed, the diversion will only be in place for 4 to 6 hours, after which normal access will be reinstated.
Background information about the Hub
The Family, Belonging and Inclusion Hub has been designed to offer inclusive support for all children, young people, and families, especially those children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This includes facilitating and coordinating alternative provision for children who are not currently accessing school, in keeping with our responsibilities under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996. Whilst the islands have a strong commitment to supporting inclusion within Five Islands Academy, where pupils are educated alongside their peers, alternative provision is occasionally also necessary on the islands. The Hub will provide a dedicated space for the social connection and wellbeing of parents and children to be supported and create spaces which could be used for on-island education facilitation.
The capital funding for the project has been provided by the Department for Education (DfE) via its High Needs Provision Capital Allocations (HNPCA) provision.
Councillors approved the development of this Hub, including an extension and partial redesign of the existing Carn Gwaval complex, at the meeting of Full Council on 18 November 2025. This approval was followed by a drop-in session on 23 February 2026, where members of the public were invited to view a 3D walkthrough of the building and hear directly from KTA Architects Ltd about the ideas behind their designs.
Next steps
We will issue updates on the development of the Hub as work progresses.
We hope to have completed the development of the Hub by late 2026.
Image 1: Map of the area surrounding the Carn Gwaval Wellbeing Centre, with the potential footpath diversion indicated.
Image 2: Photograph of the existing footpath in front of the Carn Gwaval Wellbeing Centre.